Agassi Shocked by Armstrong Confession on Doping
American tennis superstar, Andre Agassi, was shocked by the recent confession of the disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. The two sportsmen were two of the founders of the organization Athletes For Hope which aims to educate professional athletes on how to raise money and the profile of charitable and philanthropic causes.
Last week, Lance Armstrong admitted in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that he took performance-enhancing drugs and used blood transfusions in all the seven Tour de France titles he won.
“Well, my reaction to it is the same as everybody. It was shock, hard to stomach, sadness, disappointment. I think ‘anger’ is a fair word,” Agassi told reporters at Melbourne Park on Friday.
“I was certainly one of those that flat out believed him that long period of time. The thought of it not being the case was unconscionable to me.”
Agassi tested positive for methamphetamine during his career, but lied to ATP officials about how it got into his system, claiming he had consumed a drink spiked with the drug. He felt that his own drug use, and how he avoided a ban, may have helped tennis in pursuing more vigorous drug testing programs.
Armstrong is still listed as one of the founders of the organization on its website (www.athletesforhope.org).
VIDEO: Andre Agassi, Lance Armstrong and other superstars Launch Athletes for Hope