Armstrong dope case a warning to potential cheats, says WADA

Shanghai, Oct 19 (IANS): American cyclist Lance Armstrong‘s fall from grace sent a clear message to sportsmen and women around the world that the anti-doping agencies are determined to catch drug cheats no matter who they are, World Anti-doping Agency (WADA) head John Fahey said here Friday.

Last week US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) revealed a report of 1,000 pages, including testimonies of Armstrong’s 11 former teammates, on systematic doping in the former US Postal/Discovery cycling team, masterminded by Armstrong, reports Xinhua.

About six weeks ago, USADA stripped the 41-year-old cancer survivor of his results dating back to Aug 1, 1998, including his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles between 1999 and 2005.

Fahey said fame could not protect a drug cheat from punishments.

“No matter how important, how successful, how powerful you are, if you are cheating, you will eventually get caught. You’ll bring shame on yourself and on your family and on your country,” said Fahey during the Oct 17-18 Asian anti-doping education symposium here.

“I think the Armstrong case demonstrates there are good people out there who will continuously be vigilant and strong to catch drug cheats no matter who they are no matter, what country they are in and no matter how good they are in sport,” he said. “So I hope there is a message for all the sportsmen and women around the world.”