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Landis: I waited too long to come clean
Source: Agencies |
September 29, 2010, Wednesday
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DISGRACED cyclist Floyd Landis says he waited almost four years to reveal his doping because he knew once he'd admitted lying, he would not be believed about the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.
After years of denials, Landis - stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title because of doping - admitted in May to using performance-enhancing drugs and accused others, including former teammate and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of doping. Armstrong has vehemently denied ever doping and his attorney has described Landis as a "serial liar."
Landis, speaking at an Australian conference on the eve of the road cycling world championships in Melbourne, said yesterday that until more people own up to their doping, cycling will continue to have a problem with drug cheats.
"Until I can sit here, and a lot of other people can sit down and talk about how it came to be that way, it's going to be hard to find a solution. If I can be a catalyst for that, so be it. I don't care to take any credit for it because part of why I'm doing what I'm doing is for my own conscience and my own well being.
"As much as it hurts to sit and tell my mom I lied, and to tell other people that I lied, it's better than the alternative."
The American acknowledged he waited too long before coming clean.
"I knew that having defended myself in the beginning, and having lied about never having doped, that no matter when I changed the story and no matter when I decided to tell the details of what I'd done, the argument was always going to be the same. It was going to be that I shouldn't be believed now," Landis said.
"It took me longer than it probably should have."
Landis' allegations prompted an ongoing wide-ranging US federal probe to center on Armstrong and his associates. The investigation was being pursued by US prosecutors and Food and Drug Administration agent Jeff Novitzky.
Landis' involvement in the New Pathways for Pro Cycling conference held by Deakin University at Geelong, west of Melbourne, was met with intense criticism from the world championships organizers, who withdrew their support for the event.
Landis was circumspect throughout his participation, a 90-minute panel session alongside international academics and anti-doping experts. After the conference he declined to speak about specific incidences or riders, and would not comment on the ongoing investigation.
Landis is not accredited for the worlds, but says he will be watching the races.
After years of denials, Landis - stripped of the 2006 Tour de France title because of doping - admitted in May to using performance-enhancing drugs and accused others, including former teammate and seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of doping. Armstrong has vehemently denied ever doping and his attorney has described Landis as a "serial liar."
Landis, speaking at an Australian conference on the eve of the road cycling world championships in Melbourne, said yesterday that until more people own up to their doping, cycling will continue to have a problem with drug cheats.
"Until I can sit here, and a lot of other people can sit down and talk about how it came to be that way, it's going to be hard to find a solution. If I can be a catalyst for that, so be it. I don't care to take any credit for it because part of why I'm doing what I'm doing is for my own conscience and my own well being.
"As much as it hurts to sit and tell my mom I lied, and to tell other people that I lied, it's better than the alternative."
The American acknowledged he waited too long before coming clean.
"I knew that having defended myself in the beginning, and having lied about never having doped, that no matter when I changed the story and no matter when I decided to tell the details of what I'd done, the argument was always going to be the same. It was going to be that I shouldn't be believed now," Landis said.
"It took me longer than it probably should have."
Landis' allegations prompted an ongoing wide-ranging US federal probe to center on Armstrong and his associates. The investigation was being pursued by US prosecutors and Food and Drug Administration agent Jeff Novitzky.
Landis' involvement in the New Pathways for Pro Cycling conference held by Deakin University at Geelong, west of Melbourne, was met with intense criticism from the world championships organizers, who withdrew their support for the event.
Landis was circumspect throughout his participation, a 90-minute panel session alongside international academics and anti-doping experts. After the conference he declined to speak about specific incidences or riders, and would not comment on the ongoing investigation.
Landis is not accredited for the worlds, but says he will be watching the races.
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