Lance Armstrong's lies and deceit know no end.
A damning new report from the Cycling Independent Reform Commission exposed that the disgraced cyclist wasn't trying to level the playing field with his doping, he was trying to get ahead.
According to Nancy Armour of USA Today Sports, Armstrong "used special relationships he had with cycling's highest officials to discredit anyone who dared question or challenge him." Knowing there was no one to stop him, he understood cycling would defend him on the off chance he did get caught.
"His influence was so great," Anne Gripper, the International Cycling Union's (UCI) former anti-doping manager, said in an interview that was quoted in the report. "He basically told the sport how to administer its rules."
The report quoted an anonymous source that attributed Armstrong's marketing success to cycling's blind eye to a damning problem.
"The primary concern was the commercial and international development of cycling and the arrival of Lance Armstrong was an extraordinary opportunity, a real success story, and the UCI closed its eyes to the rest," the unnamed source said.
In a statement on Sunday, Armstrong revealed his eagerness to develop a bright, dope-free future for the sport that rose his name to fame.
"It is my hope that revealing the truth will lead to a bright, dope-free future for the sport I love, and will allow all young riders emerging from small towns throughout the world in years to come to chase their dreams without having to face the lose-lose choices that so many of my friends, teammates and opponents faced," Armstrong said. "I hope that all riders who competed and doped can feel free to come forward and help the tonic of truth heal this great sport."
"Tonic of truth."
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