Lance Armstrong has revealed how he avoided being caught as a drug cheater for years by using “undetectable” drugs. Later, he admitted to using the prohibited medicine erythropoietin (EPO).
Armstrong, who dominated the Tour de France for more than ten years and won an unprecedented seven titles in a row, was once regarded as the greatest road cyclist in the sport’s history.
But in a sport where doping has a dark past, he passed drug test after drug test, seemingly establishing his innocence in spite of persistent rumors that he was involved in foul play.
Following a USADA inquiry based on previous blood samples, it was revealed in 2012 that he had used performance enhancers throughout his career, despite having twice retired from the sport, in 2005 and 2011.
Armstrong oversaw “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen,” according to USADA, while leading the Discovery Channel and U.S. Postal Service teams.
Red blood cell formation is stimulated by the glycoprotein hormone erythropoietin (EPO), which is mostly produced in the kidneys.
Muscle oxygen levels can be raised by taking the hormone synthetically.
He did not challenge the accusations while first claiming to be innocent, but in January 2013 he acknowledged that he had doped, even though his deducted titles would not be restored.
Armstrong has now disclosed how he escaped discovery during his professional life, stating that he underwent more than “500” examinations.
“I know it would annoy the system, but one of the things I always said, and it’s not something I would want to say again, is that I have been tested 500 times and I have never failed a doping control,” the American said on the Club Random podcast with Bill Maher.
That is truthful. That is the reality. The control could not be evaded. It happened when I urinated in the cup and they examined it.
He continued, saying:
The fact of the matter is that certain substances, particularly the most advantageous ones, only last for four hours. Thus, certain drugs have substantially longer half-lives than others, be it cannabis, anabolic steroids, or anything else.
“The half-life of that joint is much longer, so you could smoke it, drive your tractor to work, and test positive in two weeks.”
Blood doping is the use of illicit substances and techniques to increase the body’s capacity to deliver oxygen to muscles. Armstrong was charged with and acknowledged engaging in this practice.
The use of EPO, a hormone produced in the kidneys that accelerates red blood cell synthesis and can raise muscle oxygen levels, gives cyclists a significant edge in endurance sports like cycling.
EPO users may experience a slower and less severe reduction in their muscle output, which also facilitates recuperation between phases.
‘With EPO, which was the rocket fuel that altered not only our sport, but all endurance sports, you have a half-life of four hours, so it leaves the body extremely quickly,’ added Armstrong.
“I don’t want to push anyone to take on unnecessary tasks.” In actuality, you were taking an undetectable substance that was quite helpful for both performance and recuperation.
‘Both are vital, but primarily for performance… and, as we were taught to think, which I do not disagree with, if used under the care of a doctor it was safe.’
Watch the video below
Full episode of Club Random w/ @billmaher and @lancearmstrong here: https://t.co/SaVtvLga72
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