To the editor:

I was saddened by Lance Armstrong’s decision last week to give up his fight against the allegations of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. However, I can understand Armstrong’s enough-is-enough rationale for throwing in the towel.  It certainly appears that the USADA’s campaign against Lance was a never-to-end personal vendetta.

In remarks last week, Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA, expressed feigned regret regarding Armstrong’s fall from grace, and characterized USADA’s campaign as a needed response to the “win-at-all-costs” culture of sport.  I suggest that Tygart take a close look in the mirror if he wants to see someone practicing a scorched-earth, win-at-all-costs approach.

I know from direct family experience that Lance was an inspiration to many of those afflicted with cancer. And, his rise from a near-death sentence to dominance of the world’s most physically demanding sporting event was a beacon of hopefulness for cancer victims. So, Javert, I mean Mr. Tygart, you’ll have to live with your actions, as of course does Lance.  For me, I’m siding with Lance.