He showered with permission of the test administrator. I think most of the blame should be with him.

I don't know about you, but I don't want anyone's urine, that's just gross.

"In time" to make a few phone call to varify the official's identity and credentials.. is that satisfactory?

Maybe I'm in the minority, but if a person claims to be an UCI official and ask me to provide samples for dope test, seems to me pretty clear that I should review their credentials, provide the samples until the official is satified. If there is concern about the officials credentials, I could have them checked after providing the samples.

Asking for permission to shower prior to providing the samples does not seem like a proper, nor permittable request; seems to me both parties have made mistake.

He knows the rules to the letter. He broke them. His bad.

Why did it take 3 weeks for this story to be released. If it happened on March 17, why not release it to the media on March 18?

That is a trend I've noticed with many scandalous sports stories.

Considering testers often have to wait much longer than that for an athlete to hydrate, waiting 20 min for some phone calls seems reasonable.

Compare this situation to the Dubai Open where they paid Tiger Woods $5M just to show up.

The French are simply insanely jealous of Armstrong and his ability to ride them into the ground on their home turf.... it's time for these hysterical cry babies to grow up.

And draw blood, and cut off a few large chunks of hair?
I think not.

Indirectly related and interesting....

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090409/...ping_eu_rule_2

:beer:

Is this anti-Americanism?

If it is, is it casual or insidious?

i'm no lance groupie but even to me it seems like they have a vendetta against lance.

Maybe drawing blood and hair cut could wait until credentials are verified.

Lance: I just want to verify who you are.

Inspector: ok

Lance: Is it ok if I take a shower while we make the calls?

Inspector: no prob

Wtf is LA suppose to do?

like this guy?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...range-1892.jpg
Henri Desgrange

LA: Maybe I should just sit here and wait until we know who you are, that way there will be no confusion; meanwhile, do you want me to pee on you (or your country)? oh, pardon my french, I meant pee in a cup.

FIFY

Lance: You said I could shower
Inspector: Did Not
Lance: Did too
Inspector: Did Not
Lance: Did Too

etc. etc.

The tester in question was not with the UCI, but a French lab. The test in question was done by the French government/anti-doping agency. According to the articles I've read, Lance was unaware that the lab had the authority to request a test directly. Which is where much of the questioning of authority originated. Would it have been better if Lance had decided not to shower till after things were straightened out, probably. Do I blame him for wanting to clean up a bit after a full day of training, nope.

While having witnesses helps LA's case, the fact they are "his" guys doesn't help that much. Guess it's time to start carrying a digital audio recorder at all times.



For those wanting articles:

http://translate.google.com/translat...ml&sl=fr&tl=en

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090409/...g_doping_rules

http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/cyclin...ory?id=4054825

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009...dom-drugs-test

update
http://velonews.com/article/90386/th...-uci-has-given

so it's finally settled. good.

Plain clothes police officer comes to your house and wants to search the place. You let him search then check his credentials after he's done sniffing your undies? I'm just sayin...

This thread is gay for Lance

Witch hunt

If you can't get a positive, this is the next best thing....

I don't really like Lance on any level, but this is pretty absurd.

The tester did not technically stay with him though. Armstrong clearly had time to go in his special shower with water from a spring in Wharfarino in Northern Italy that is believed to have special blood thinning capabilities.