Sally Jenkins, columnist and feature writer for The Washington Post
Jenkins co-authored two books with Armstrong, in 2000 and 2004. In December she wrote a column in the Washington Post laying out the reasons why she could not be angry with Armstrong despite his doping. This week she appeared on an American television show, the Charlie Rose Show, where she said she said that she had forgiven Armstrong.
Jenkins maintained that doping was so prolific among cyclists that it was the price Armstrong had to pay in order to compete. She said: "I don’t rise to the level of anger that I think a lot of people want me to. I think that there’s a level of anger at Lance that is out of proportion to the offence of doping."
Livestrong Foundation
Armstrong founded the charity in 1997 to provide support for people affected by cancer. In 2004 the charity launched the 'Livestrong wristband', coloured yellow in honour of Armstrong's Tour de France jersey. Following Armstrong's interview with Oprah, the foundation released a statement, distancing themselves from him. Livestrong also revealed that Armstrong had apologised to its staff, and the apology had been accepted. "We at the Livestrong Foundation are disappointed by the news that Lance Armstrong misled people during and after his cycling career, including us. Even in the wake of our disappointment, we also express our gratitude to Lance as a survivor for the drive, devotion and spirit he brought to serving cancer patients and the entire cancer community.
"Lance is no longer on the Foundation’s board, but he is our founder and we will always be grateful to him for creating and helping to build a Foundation that has served millions struggling with cancer.”
Alberto Contador and Miguel Indurain, Tour de France winners
Spanish cyclists Contador and Indurain were still maintaining Armstrong's innocence late last year. Indurain won five consecutive Tours de France but refused to accept Armstrong was guilty. He told a Spanish radio station, "Even now I believe in his innocence. He has always respected all the regulations … He has won all the cases he's had."
Two-time Tour de France winner Contador went further in condemning the criticism of Armstrong, saying: "He is being humiliated and lynched, in my opinion. He is being destroyed."
Residents of Austin, Texas
Many residents of Armstrong's adopted hometown of Austin are still reluctant to criticise him. The Livestrong Foundation has its headquarters in the city. A set of framed yellow jerseys and various other Tour memorabilia line the walls of the Mellow Johnny's bike shop. There is a 'Lance Armstrong Bikeway' which opened in 2009 and showed off Austin's enthusiasm for cycling. There are no plans for it to be renamed. The city's mayor, Lee Leffingwell told the Guardian: "Lance is not only a friend to me, but also a friend to Austin, and a friend and hero to millions of cancer survivors and their families around the globe."
Jenkins co-authored two books with Armstrong, in 2000 and 2004. In December she wrote a column in the Washington Post laying out the reasons why she could not be angry with Armstrong despite his doping. This week she appeared on an American television show, the Charlie Rose Show, where she said she said that she had forgiven Armstrong.
Jenkins maintained that doping was so prolific among cyclists that it was the price Armstrong had to pay in order to compete. She said: "I don’t rise to the level of anger that I think a lot of people want me to. I think that there’s a level of anger at Lance that is out of proportion to the offence of doping."
Livestrong Foundation
Armstrong founded the charity in 1997 to provide support for people affected by cancer. In 2004 the charity launched the 'Livestrong wristband', coloured yellow in honour of Armstrong's Tour de France jersey. Following Armstrong's interview with Oprah, the foundation released a statement, distancing themselves from him. Livestrong also revealed that Armstrong had apologised to its staff, and the apology had been accepted. "We at the Livestrong Foundation are disappointed by the news that Lance Armstrong misled people during and after his cycling career, including us. Even in the wake of our disappointment, we also express our gratitude to Lance as a survivor for the drive, devotion and spirit he brought to serving cancer patients and the entire cancer community.
"Lance is no longer on the Foundation’s board, but he is our founder and we will always be grateful to him for creating and helping to build a Foundation that has served millions struggling with cancer.”
Alberto Contador and Miguel Indurain, Tour de France winners
Spanish cyclists Contador and Indurain were still maintaining Armstrong's innocence late last year. Indurain won five consecutive Tours de France but refused to accept Armstrong was guilty. He told a Spanish radio station, "Even now I believe in his innocence. He has always respected all the regulations … He has won all the cases he's had."
Two-time Tour de France winner Contador went further in condemning the criticism of Armstrong, saying: "He is being humiliated and lynched, in my opinion. He is being destroyed."
Residents of Austin, Texas
Many residents of Armstrong's adopted hometown of Austin are still reluctant to criticise him. The Livestrong Foundation has its headquarters in the city. A set of framed yellow jerseys and various other Tour memorabilia line the walls of the Mellow Johnny's bike shop. There is a 'Lance Armstrong Bikeway' which opened in 2009 and showed off Austin's enthusiasm for cycling. There are no plans for it to be renamed. The city's mayor, Lee Leffingwell told the Guardian: "Lance is not only a friend to me, but also a friend to Austin, and a friend and hero to millions of cancer survivors and their families around the globe."