newjerseynewsroom.com

BY PAM LOBLEY

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

NOW THAT’S FUNNY

Just when you thought Lance Armstrong could not sink any lower news that he bribed other cyclists to fix races has emerged.

Armstrong may eventually try to clear his name, but it will be an uphill battle.

As reported on Philly.com, cyclist Steven Swart alleged, in a sworn statement, that Armstrong offered Swart and his team $50,000 if they would lay back from challenging him in the Core-States U.S. Pro Cycling Race. Mr. Swart and his team agreed – Swart justifying it by saying Armstrong would probably have won it anyway.

Swart and his team did get the $50,000.

Armstrong denied the allegations. He’s back pedaling.

That Philadelphia race was part of a three-race competition that offers $1 million to the winner of all three events. It had never been done before, and Armstrong was all doped up—er, jazzed up, to try it.

The story is laid out on deadspin.com – that Armstrong had won the first race and was leading in the second when he made the offer to Swart. He really wanted to win that title.

He probably would have bribed the cycling judges, but he was two-tired.

Armstrong has lost his Nike endorsement deal, resigned from his charitable organization, and this week will find out if he will be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

The bribery, in tandem with the doping, has taken his career out of high gear, and left him flat.

Pam Lobley writes the “Now That’s Funny” column. Check out her blog: Better Living Through Chaos! Follow her on Twitter @plobley.

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