Nike denies role in Armstrong doping cover up
BEAVERTON, Ore. -- As it cuts ties with Lance Armstrong, Nike Inc. is also facing accusations that it paid to cover up a failed drug test for the embattled cyclist.
The New York Daily News on Tuesday reported that Kathy LeMond, wife of three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, testified in a 2006 deposition that she was told by a mechanic for Armstrong's team that Nike wired $500,000 in 1999 to the Swiss bank account of Hein Verbruggen, former president of the Union Cyclist Internationale, cycling's governing body.
The alleged money transfer was to cover up a positive drug test for corticosteroids, which the Daily News reported were used by Armstrong to treat saddle sores. LeMond, in an interview with the Daily News, stood by her testimony, saying she was sure the mechanic, Julian Devries, was telling the truth.
Calling the allegations "offensive," Nike issued a statement Tuesday saying it "vehemently denies that it paid former UCI president Hein Verbruggen $500,000 to cover up a positive drug test. Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs."
Paul Swinand, an analyst with Morningstar and avid cyclist, on Wednesday said he was doubtful that Nike would have played such a hands-on role.
“That’s like Nike telling them to change the tires on the bus. They’re just not at that level of detail with the them,” he said. “I’ve been with the team and seen the Nike posse there. They’re the same guys that handle LeBron James. Yes, they’re cycling aficionados and the cycling cognoscenti is hosted by Nike, but it’s not like the Nike handler-type people are telling (them what to do).
“They’re involved in media making. They’re not involved in sport, so why get involved in something like that?”
The Portland Business Journal is a KATU News partner.
I don't believe he was Doping either nor was he the only one Doping either.....and Nike is so respectable for making shoes in China for 3 bucks a pair and selling them in the US for 120 bucks a pair....thinking they have the resorces and save another Goose laying Golden Eggs...go figure....
..And the beat goes on..A glorious witch hunt. This is America, groups of people testifying against another means nothing except to feed the masses with drama and intrigue.Â
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Like the protester from the other day, get a life and move on. I find it unlikely Nike would jeopardize it's own name for an athlete it supports.Â
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Now please return watching the Kardashians and Lohan.
According to what the news media said originally, it was never proven that he took enhancing drugs. All the hype now is heresay. BTW, it was also stated that he passed all the drug screens.
They were paid to look the other way.....ask Nike...
BRING DOWN the HOUSE.........LOL
You Americans are finally figuring out these "SPORTS SUPER STAR" have about the same amount of talent as the Kardashian Sisters, but The Show Must Go On...and it does......
 @August100 Really?  So the 1% gain in ability resulting from doping is all that stands between me and Lance Armstrong?  Tour de France, here I come!
I don't buy Nike Shoes; I could care less about these Lying & Cheating Sports Stars...I have issues with Nike's Child Slave Labor Prisons!
I totally believe Nike did this... They are part of the win at any cost.. This company is all about selling and making money, honesty and integrity are something that eludes them..
Not gonna take it all out on Lance.... Professional Sports is a joke....... No sportsmanship, integrity and honor in today's sports... It's all about money, contracts and "F" ing over the fans at the ticket office.
here take this, they cant test for this yet.
A guy that has 3 cancers and is in better shape than any person on the planet.. ya seems legit.
CHEATER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
why don't people realize the significance of this? some call it a witch hunt. I call it righting a wrong. he has built an industry around a lie....he's also made a ton of money behnd it as well. I say F$#k Lance Armstrong and good f'ing riddance. I hope people the world over cut off those dumbass bracelets and mail them back to the Livestrong Foundation as a message of distgust for his betrayal of all those who saw him as a TRUE inspiration. All he's proven is that with enough money and enough drugs, you too can cheat the system and make millions in the process. What a POS.
And in the latest headlines, USADA has accused the Pentagon,
10 Downing Street, the Kremlin and Israel of having role in
Armstrong doping scandal.
Film at 11.
He doped. We all know it and he is giving up his fight. Armstong didnt give up his fight with cancer but he is with doping because he did dope. I wish the 24 hr fitness in Lake Oswego would drop him too. He is a druggie.Â
@phyllis21....Can you prove it? I don't think so.
@phyllis21
"I wish the 24 hr fitness in Lake Oswego would drop him too. He is a druggie."
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Well, aren't you special. Shall we have him drawn and quartered, too, Phyllis?
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If you recall, he hasn't admitted guilt and NO ONE has proven that he has beyond circumstantial evidence and hearsay. So before you start sentencing him, remember that everyone is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty...even you, dearie.
@Mikey Do you think OJ Simpson is not guilty of killing Nicole Brown Simpson and Goldman? There was not enough evidence to prove it in court but you know he did it. This situation isn't going to work itself out in the courts anyway. It's not really a matter for the courts, so you are never going to get that. Everyone is dumping him. He is stepping down. He is giving up. Why? Because he is guilty and they all know it now.
 @Portlander29 Not as big a POS as you apparently.
 @Mikey You're a complete moron.  He is not being charged with a crime.  He is being punished for being a cheating POS in his sport.
 @Portlander29 He's stepping down because if he stayed public opinion would hurt the organization that helps so many people.
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So now that he's gone, rejoice and be happy. Wow, they sure took down a really big, dangerous criminal...just like OJ! I'm sure the whole world is gonna sleep better tonight.
 @Mikey  @phyllis21 mikey... Nike fired him... overwhelming evidence...these are words being reported in the media... of course he will say he did not...c'mon admitting to it is too hard to do... the truth would hurt.  Â
@Mikey...you obviously didn't read the report did you.
@Mikey @phyllis21 Eye witness testimony is NOT hearsay. It's funny how many people throw a word like hearsay around and have no clue what it means.
 @Portlander29 So, in other words, you were wrong. I DID use hearsay correctly in the fact that part of the evidence is specifically that.
 @Mikey  @Portlander29 An eye witness is not hearsay even after you post the definition.  They are not getting the information from someone else.  They are relaying what they actually saw.  If I hear their testimony then go tell someone else about it, that is hearsay.
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Yes...THAT is hearsay in the 2nd paragraph. Â However, when people who were in the room and saw and participated in the doping with armstrong...what they say is NOT hearsay.
 @Portlander29 Hearsay: information gathered by one person from another person concerning some event, condition, or thing of which the first person had no direct experience.
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Oh, and for the record: "Kathy LeMond, wife of three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond, testified in a 2006 deposition that she was told by a mechanic for Armstrong's team" -- is hearsay.
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 @Portlander29 OK, then "eyewitness testimony" if you'd rather. I apologize for not being a lawyer and calling it like I see it. So sue me.
Enough already...put this thing to bed media. Â The man screwed up...he is now taking responsibility stepping down from his position with LiveStrong....he may not be saying "yes, to took steroids" Â But it's obvious what his intentions are with him leaving Nike. Â This is my last comment on this issue.
@PD1202 .....I'm going to hold you to that.
No way to track the money so no way to know either way!
Un-friggin-believable. If that's not hearsay, then I don't know what is. Craziest witch hunt ever.
@badcat...then why not fight it in court? because he would lose...
 @Solipsist01 Why should he waste his money? Let USADA waste theirs.
@Mikey...admittedly, I do enjoy seeing those who lie and cheat taken down and in a big way.
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I admire those who lead by example...who value their own "integrity"....Lance does neither.
 @Portlander29 Thanks, Jesus.
 @Mikey  @Solipsist01 What he did for cancer was done on the back of his lies.  I suppose, to you, being a lying low life cheat is cool as long as you have good intentions?  He had cancer too.  Do you think he would have been "Cancer Man" if he had not ever had it himself?  No, he is not that selfless.
 @Solipsist01 I don't worship him or even know him. I admire what he's done for people with cancer. So if you and everyone else gets off on enjoying seeing someone taken down, then goody goody for you.
@Mikey....why are you so hell bent on defendng the guy? Go read the report...I mean beyond the title page...read the WHOLE thing then come back here and defend him. If you don't see how utterly damning that report is then you're absolutely delusional. Give it up and go find a new idol to worship.