In sports venues around the world, it is not only the stories of heroes and winners that are being written. But history also remembers the rogues who were so blinded by the vision of glory and success that they spat on the rules of fair play.
Fraud and cheats are as intrinsic to sport as a white foam cap is to a good beer. They were always here, they are still here, and they will certainly not disappear in the future. While there is not much we can write about future cheaters, there is plenty we can write about those who have cheated in the past. The following chapters feature ten athletes who are more famous for their scams than their performances.
American cyclist Lance Armstrong offered a typical example of how a great hero can become a gigantic cheat a few months ago. Winner of seven Tour de France races from 1999 to 2005; he was heavy into doping. For a long time, Armstrong denied that he had helped himself illegally in any way. Still, he admitted to taking banned substances on Oprah Winfrey’s TV show earlier this year.
He has become a role model for millions in the past, as he won his battle with testicular cancer and successfully returned to professional cycling. He lost all his titles and sponsors after his doping was exposed.
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