Final Sources

  I found an article in Science Magazine especially helpful for the fact that it gave me some in-depth knowledge on the advantages of blood doping; as well as new procedures for detecting doping.  The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) which monitors cycling competitions is employing a test called an Athlete Biological Passport.  The ABP is a blood test that will factor the athletes age, weight, and ethnicity as well as altitude, to figure a "baseline" or normal blood makeup for the athlete.  Once they have the passport the athlete's blood is tested up to ten times per year to look for any fluctuation that could indicate the use of EPO or foreign substance.  This article portrays the new strict measures and scrutiny that cyclists are facing today.  These new tests are a direct result of athletes such as Lance Armstrong-who was allegedly Blood doping without detection for most of his professional career.  

Carpenter, Jennifer."Blood Sport: Anti-Doping Strategy Comes Into Its Own".Science News Magazine. March 16, 2011

  I really like this video from 60 minutes archives.  This video shows Frankie Andreu and Tyler Hamilton,  Lance Armstrong's former teammates.  They explain exactly how Armstrong and the rest of the U.S Postal Service cycling team got away with doping and the use of EPO.  This video explains the drastic advantage of using EPO.  The interviewer poses the question "If one rider is taking EPO, and the other rider is not, the EPO rider is the winner?"  Andreu quickly answers back, "Oh yea fore sure, If you were not taking EPO, you were not going to win". (28 second mark). Hamilton gives very personal detail, when he explains about the use of secret phones and code words that were used to carry out the drug deal.  I personally think that Hamilton's shame and guilty demeanor are very good indications that he is telling the truth.  Hamilton is showing no pleasure or pride in telling on his former teammate Lance Armstrong.

CBS NEWS.60 Minutes. "Who is Tyler Hamilton". Video. May 22, 2011

Two More Sources

   I chose Cycling Plus Magazine to use for a source. I found an article title in this magazine, that caught my attention. "Could this be a new beginning for Cycling". I wanted to find an article that might pose a different view point on my topic. Since the evidence is pretty overwhelming that Lance Armstrong did in fact participate in doping, I was convinced that this article might shed new light on cycling as a sport. The article simply explains: with the latest attention that cycling is generating, maybe the sport will be forced to clean up. Athletes will be monitored and tested with even more scrutiny than ever before. With Armstrong catching all the negative publicity, this might be new motivation for athletes to wise up and stop cheating. I am confident in this source, the magazine presented unbiased and informal ideas.  There were many cycling magazines to chose from but I liked the headlines on the cover of Cycling Plus.

 Spedding,Rob. "Could this be a new beginning for cycling".Cycling Plus Magazine. 11/10/2012 

   I chose the Denver Post as a source because it is a reliable source for news in Colorado as well as worldwide coverage.  I found an article named, "A Look at Lance Armstrong and his Sponsors".  I found this article very informal because: I did not know who Armstrong's sponsor were, and I feel like money from sponsors might have been the underlying force that drove this blood doping operation. The article simply listed the sponsor, and gave a statement as to why they were dropping their contract with Armstrong.   Nike's corporate spokesman: "Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner." Other companies including: Anheuser-Busch, 24 Hour Fitness, Trek Bicycle, Honey Stinger, and FRS Energy discontinued their contracts with Armstrong as well.  Oakley is waiting to hear the results of the upcoming trials before the make any decisions regarding their contract with Armstrong. (Denver Post)

Associated Press. "A Look at Lance Armstrong and his Sponsors". Denver Post. 10/17/2012.

Research Sources

  I gathered information about Lance Armstrong's doping allegations from two main sources for my first two posts.  I gathered the bulk of my information from the AP website along with the NPR website.  I wanted to start my research at two very credible sites. As I have learned from Ballenger that the Internet can be an unreliable source of information, without proper research and knowledge of the site.  As listed on the Wikipedia website, "Associated Press was founded in 1846. As of 2005^[update], the news collected by the AP is published and republished by more than 1,700 newspapers, in addition to more than 5,001 television and radio broadcasters . The photograph library of the AP consists of over 10 million images. The Associated Press operates 243 news bureaus, and it serves at least 120 countries, with an international staff located all over the world."  I felt that this nonprofit-unbiased site was a good credible site to draw research for my topic.
  I searched the NPR website to find a picture of Lance Armstrong for my "photograph analysis post".  Having only a limited amount of knowledge about NPR, I used the NPR website to research their credibility.  "Since 1971, NPR and its journalists and programs have won hundreds of awards including 31 Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Awards, 56 George Foster Peabody Awards, 61 awards from the White House News Photographers Association, 24 Webby Awards (which includes 8 Webby "Peoples' Voice" awards) and 19 awards from the Overseas Press Club of America." (http://www.npr.org/about/aboutnpr/history.html). I learned that NPR is a nonprofit-unbiased site as well, so I felt NPR was a good credible source for research.
  These sources are well known sources-I have hear the name AP and NPR many times and I decided that they would be good sources to use for my blog.  Both sites gave me numerous articles pertaining to my topic.  I felt that these sites were very helpful at: providing me with an abundance of current, credible information in just two locations.


Mark Memott, Patrick Kovarick. "If Lance Armstrong Is Stripped, No One May Get His Tour De France Titles". NPR October 12, 2012.Web. October 26 2012.



Eddie Pells, "Lance Armstrong Doping: Anti-Doping Agency Says 11 Teammates Testified Against Him In Probe". AP October 10, 2012. Web. 
  

Lance Armstrong leading the pack

  I like this image of Lance Armstrong leading the pack, at the Tour de France in 2004. This was one of his seven wins, at the Tour de France.  This image speaks volumes about Lance's career.  You can see all the sponsorships displayed on the different bright colored racing clothing. I believe that the huge dollar amounts that the sponsors provided, fueled Armstrong's drive to win in cycling.  Lance is in front in this picture, where he shows a big smile; the group behind him is clearly racing against the huge pack, creating a swarm of competition behind Lance.
  You can see the signature yellow "Live Strong" jersey that signifies Armstrong from the rest of the pack. Live Strong is the cancer foundation that Lance Armstrong founded after his battle with testicular cancer. He is on his one-of-a-kind bike in this picture, further signifying Lance from the other riders.  This image really sums up his career for me: Lance Armstrong leading the pack of racers, at the Tour de France, in his yellow jersey.


Mark Memott, Patrick Kovarick. "If Lance Armstrong Is Stripped, No One May Get His Tour de France Titles". NPR October 12, 2012.Web. October 26 2012.

Free Writing

Based on current evidence and allegations, did Lance Armstrong participate in blood doping and the use of performance enhancing drugs?

  I would venture to say that he did. I do not have all of the research that I want to draw a conclusion, but my initial thought is that there is a lot of powerful evidence to say that he did use illegal substances. The UCI (Union Cyclist Internationale) has just stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour De France titles, which indicates to me that they have gathered sufficient evidence that he cheated.  I cannot imagine that they would strip his titles without very convincing evidence.  From my personal experience, where there's smoke there is fire. In this case there is plenty of smoke. Twenty six accusers have come forth against Armstrong, including former teammates as well as trainers.

  I think that most people would agree with my initial conclusion-Lance Armstrong is probably guilty of cheating.  I am finding many articles indicating cheating against Armstrong and I have not found any articles in his defense.  He has been stripped of his 7 Tour de France titles, lost 8 major endorsements not to mention   his "clean" image.  It seems to be a general concensus that Armstrong is guilty.  However, I have seen a few comments stating: "All of Armstrong's teammates were jealous of his success and fame".  Lances attorney states about the case, "a one-sided hatchet job – a taxpayer funded tabloid piece rehashing old, disproved, unreliable allegations based largely on axe-grinders, serial perjurers, coerced testimony, sweetheart deals and threat-induced stories."  These opposing stories are trying to portray Armstrong's former teammates as liars that are trying to gain notoriety by throwing Lance under the bus.  

  I want to learn more about the sport of cycling and the competitive aspect of the sport.  It seems that this sport in particular, is breeding an underground society of doping and performance enhancing drug abusers.  I need to learn more about the techniques the dopers are using, in order to further understand the deception process. This will help me to formulate a strong opinion as to whether I believe that Armstrong is guilty or innocent.  I also want to get a firm grasp on the specific allegations attacking Armstrong,  this will be the basis for my argument, so I need to have solid information. 

Is Doping Necessary to Compete?

  My name is Josh Gustafson.  I am 34 years old. I am an Account Sales Manager for Red Bull Energy drink.  I got married last year, this year I decided it was time to go back to school to start my new career in Radiology.  English is a prerequisite course for the program I will enter next Fall.
   I am interested in the articles I have read about Lance Armstrong's alleged blood doping accusations.  This blog will give me a chance to do a lot of research on the subject including: specific accusations, dropped endorsement deals, what exactly blood doping is, and the reason for Armstrong's stripped Tour de France titles.  I have recently heard a few disturbing comments about the sport of cycling: "It is the dirtiest professional sport right now".  This comment referring to the large number of riders blood doping and using performance enhancing drugs.  I have also heard, "You need to be doping, using EPO, or taking steroids in order to compete in the sport".  These two comments alone were enough to spark my curiosity.