Shamed former world champion cyclist Lance Armstrong is beginning his public campaign for redemption this week, with a public apology for using doping to improve his performance.
Armstrong has appeared on Oprah’s channel OWN but chose his words carefully and “did not come as clean” as the host would have liked.
We went to the streets of New York to ask if the public thinks Armstrong should be allowed to compete ever again.
Armstrong has been stripped of his Tour de France titles, among others, he has stepped down as head of the charity organization Livestrong, and is currently doing battle to shorten his lifetime ban from professional sport. When he met with Travis Tygart, CEO of the US Anti–Doping Agency, he was told that he had plenty of chances to come clean and his lifetime ban would not be lifted. However Armstrong seems certain he’ll get back into a professional athletic career.
The folks on the streets of New York seem split on the issue. Some see fit to give Armstrong a second shot saying “everyone deserves a second chance” but added, “I’m a little shattered by it all.” Another man even said, “Well why not? He’s a great athlete.”
Others were not quite as charitable,saying he should never be allowed to resume his career and he should have admitted to his mistakes earlier. One woman said, “He had so many chances to come clean, no pun intended.” Another pointed out that “he has lost the trust of the public and organizations.”
What do you think? Is coming clean eventually enough for Lance Armstrong to deserve a second chance in the field of professional athleticism?
Let us know your thoughts and check out the New York vox-pop below.
Read more: Irish journalist who brought down Lance Armstrong is vindicated at last
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Switch to the desktop site to post a comment.FLstormorphan | Jan 28, 2013, 06:24 AM EST
No never further he should be denied any opportunity to grandstand! His entire image is based on fraud, he cheated others of their chance to win he is a sociopath.
nicgearailt | Jan 18, 2013, 10:42 PM EST
i think he should be ordered to make reparation to each and every person he vilified,bullied ordismissed during his so called career
sinead | Jan 18, 2013, 07:30 PM EST
Mr Armstrong should pay the price. He is not a role model! Prison time yes.
boydshield | Jan 18, 2013, 07:13 PM EST
Absolutely not!
Nicomax | Jan 18, 2013, 02:44 PM EST
At his age, and without PED support, he will not win many stages, plus the rest of his team will not be the same fellows he sabotaged before.
Proud Canadian2 | Jan 18, 2013, 02:33 PM EST
I should say not, for the fact that he would never win another race, because he isn't that good. People it was the dope that won the races not him. I agree with merefalow, strip him of everything. You have to make an example of him so that others may think twice before they take inhancing drugs.
merefalow | Jan 18, 2013, 12:14 PM EST
NO,why should he recieve social redemption,he should be stripped of all profit from his cheating,at the expense of the men he cheated,and his assertions and justification for his actions (THAT EVERY ONE ELSE WAS DOING IT)should be examined carefully.
falconflash | Jan 18, 2013, 10:50 AM EST
Sure, if his hematocrit is under 40....over 40 indicates drug usage. Everyone at or under 40 is a fair race....
Nicopernicus | Jan 18, 2013, 08:55 AM EST
He should be completely removed from the social conscience. Let the rest of us be done with it. His vicious conduct towards others who did nothing except speak truthfully is border line barbaric..He intentinally tried to ruin these people. This is the behavior of a sociopath. Lets bring it back to an acceptable level...especially for the youth.