Feb 13, 2009 8:10 am US/Pacific
Armstrong Slams Critic's 'Cancer' Of Sport Remark
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (CBS) ―
-
-
Lance Armstrong, riding for the Astana Pro Cycling Team, speaks at a press conference to kick off the 2009 Amgen Tour of California professional road cycling race at the Sheraton Grand Hotel on Feb. 12, 2009.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
-
-
Reporter Paul Kimmage of The Times of London confronts Lance Armstrong during a press conference on Feb. 12, 2009, in Sacramento, Calif. Kimmage called Armstrong the cancer of professional cycling.
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images
Lance Armstrong lashed out at a reporter in Sacramento Thursday evening. The reporter called Armstrong a "cancer on the sport of cycling." It all happened during the Tour of California news conference, reports CBS station KOVR-TV in Sacramento.
The Amgen Tour's kickoff took an unexpected turn when Armstrong was confronted by one of his biggest critics who wondered why the seven-time Tour De France champion admired dopers.
"I'm not sure I will ever forgive you for that statement," said Armstrong.
Armstrong's comeback has hit Sacramento with one of his biggest critics in hot pursuit.
"I'm not happy to see him back in the sport," says Paul Kimmage. "I've spent the last 20 years as a journalist trying to expose the problem of cancer, the drug that doping represents."
Paul Kimmage is on a crusade against cheating. The Irish columnist not only likens performance enhancing drugs to cancer, but says Armstrong is cycling's biggest cancer. The statement, which doesn't sit well with the cycling champ, who himself is a cancer survivor.
Kimmage had asked for a one-on-one interview with Armstrong, which he refused to do.
"I asked for an interview, but I didn't get one," said Kimmage.
"No, we're not going to sit down and do an interview and I don't think anyone in this room would sit down for that interview, you are not worth the chair you're sitting on with a statement like that," Armstrong replied.
Armstrong's accustomed to finger-pointing, but has always maintained his innocence.
"I don't know how many times everyone else at this table has been tested since last season. I've been tested 16 times outside of an independent program. So, I'm telling you that I'm as clean as a whistle," Armstrong said strongly.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Celebrities With Swine Flu
Click to enlarge
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
