Thursday, October 25th, 2012

Current Event:

After winning the annual Tour de France bicycle race seven successive years in a row, The International Cycling Union (UCI) has officially stripped Lance Armstrong of his titles. He has also been banned from professional cycling for life. The decision followed the UCI’s acceptance of a report by the United States Anti-Doping Agency that detailed how Armstrong led a massive illegal doping program on the U.S. Postal Service Team. More than a dozen of his former teammates have confirmed the results of the agency’s investigation. Among the other illegal activities, Armstrong took a drug that increases red blood cell production, which pumps additional oxygen into the blood stream, ultimately enhancing energy.

Lance Armstrong has been stripped of all seven of his Tour de France titles. (Copyright AP/Wide World)

Objective:

Lance Armstrong was one of the most successful bicyclists of all time, winning seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999 to 2005. After the International Cycling Union accepted evidence of illegal doping detailed in a report by the United States Doping Agency, Armstrong was banned from the sport for life. The Behind the Headlines news story and related World Book articles explain what doping is and how it is used to gain an unfair advantage in the world of cycling.

Words to Know:

Lance Armstrong
Tour de France
doping
bicycle racing
International Cycling Union
blood doping
drug testing

Discussion Topics:

1. Lance Armstrong was accused and found guilty of doping usage to help enhance his cycling performance. Ask students if they know what doping is and how it is used to improve performance in competitive sports. Follow up by discussing why doping is illegal and how it can harm the body.

2. Lance Armstrong is believed to have illegally used a drug to boost red blood cell production to pump additional oxygen into the bloodstream and enhance energy. Ask your students what they think of this issue from a moral standpoint.

3. Lance Armstrong is a well-known public figure and was considered a role model. Ask your students if this scandal has changed their opinion of him. Do they agree or disagree with the decisions to strip him of his titles and ban him from professional cycling. Why or why not?