une 15, 2004
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The new sponsor of Lance Armstrong's cycling team for three years from 2005 will be the Discovery Channel, the television station announced from its base at Silver Spring, Maryland.
American Armstrong begins his quest for a record sixth consecutive Tour de France title next month under the banner of the US Postal service which said last April they would be stopping their association with the team which dates back to 1996.
Discovery will however be making itself known this year with a logo on the team's shirt but from the beginning of next year the outfit will be known as the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team.
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"There is no better ambassador as far as quality is concerned than Lance Armstrong," said Judith McHale, president of Discovery Communications, who said Armstrong was a role model for his determination, integrity and for someone who never gives up.
Discovery Channel, one of the biggest cable televion stations in the US which has educational and leisure programmes, is part of the company Discovery Communications which runs numerous themed television stations.
"I am delighted Discovery have come," said Armstrong, welcomed by applause from the television station's employees and accompanied by new partner Sheryl Crow, a singer.
"There were some nights when I asked myself what we would do if we did not find a new sponsor. Retirement? I didn't want that," added the Texan.
"It's very important to sign such a contract before the Tour de France so that it does not bother my team-mates. It's a great relief."
Armstrong also refuted the new doping accusations which have appeared in Europe.
"It is not the first time," he said, referring to episodes in 1999, 2001 and 2003. "Each time we preferred to take a back seat and let things pass. But now breaking point has been reached. That is why I have begun legal proceedings in England and France," he said.
Tailwind Sports, owner and operator of Armstrong's team, said Armstrong would begin libel proceedings against the authors and publishers of "L.A. Confidential: The Secrets of Lance Armstrong."
The book focuses on statements attributed to Emma O'Reilly, a physiotherapist who worked with Armstrong from 1998-2000. O'Reilly claims Armstrong used the banned blood booster EPO.
Proceedings will also begin against L'Express magazine in France and the Sunday Times in England which published extracts of the book co-written by award-winning Sunday Times journalist David Walsh and Pierre Ballester, a cycling specialist formerly with L'Equipe sports newspaper.
WASHINGTON (AFP) - The new sponsor of Lance Armstrong's cycling team for three years from 2005 will be the Discovery Channel, the television station announced from its base at Silver Spring, Maryland.
American Armstrong begins his quest for a record sixth consecutive Tour de France title next month under the banner of the US Postal service which said last April they would be stopping their association with the team which dates back to 1996.
Discovery will however be making itself known this year with a logo on the team's shirt but from the beginning of next year the outfit will be known as the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team.
ADVERTISEMENT
"There is no better ambassador as far as quality is concerned than Lance Armstrong," said Judith McHale, president of Discovery Communications, who said Armstrong was a role model for his determination, integrity and for someone who never gives up.
Discovery Channel, one of the biggest cable televion stations in the US which has educational and leisure programmes, is part of the company Discovery Communications which runs numerous themed television stations.
"I am delighted Discovery have come," said Armstrong, welcomed by applause from the television station's employees and accompanied by new partner Sheryl Crow, a singer.
"There were some nights when I asked myself what we would do if we did not find a new sponsor. Retirement? I didn't want that," added the Texan.
"It's very important to sign such a contract before the Tour de France so that it does not bother my team-mates. It's a great relief."
Armstrong also refuted the new doping accusations which have appeared in Europe.
"It is not the first time," he said, referring to episodes in 1999, 2001 and 2003. "Each time we preferred to take a back seat and let things pass. But now breaking point has been reached. That is why I have begun legal proceedings in England and France," he said.
Tailwind Sports, owner and operator of Armstrong's team, said Armstrong would begin libel proceedings against the authors and publishers of "L.A. Confidential: The Secrets of Lance Armstrong."
The book focuses on statements attributed to Emma O'Reilly, a physiotherapist who worked with Armstrong from 1998-2000. O'Reilly claims Armstrong used the banned blood booster EPO.
Proceedings will also begin against L'Express magazine in France and the Sunday Times in England which published extracts of the book co-written by award-winning Sunday Times journalist David Walsh and Pierre Ballester, a cycling specialist formerly with L'Equipe sports newspaper.
