NESN

Andre Agassi Expresses ‘Shock,’ ‘Anger’ Over Lance Armstrong’s Doping, Supports Strong Testing in Tennis

Count Andre Agassi among those who are disappointed in Lance Armstrong.

The tennis legend has a better reason than most, however, for being upset with the former cycling champ after his recent admission of drug use. Agassi and Armstrong had teamed up with several other athletes to start Athletes for Hope, an organization that helps professional athletes learn how to raise money for charitable causes in the most efficient and effective ways.

Now, Armstrong is a cautionary tale not just in cycling or among athletes tempted to use performance-enhancing drugs — he’s also the definitive how-to of how not to run a charity. Armstrong’s cancer-fighting Livestrong charity has struggled since Armstrong was officially stripped of his titles and admitted to doping.

Agassi shared his feelings about Armstrong at the Australian Open on Friday.

“My reaction to it is the same as everybody,” he said, according to Reuters. “It was shock, hard to stomach, sadness, disappointment. I think ‘anger’ is a fair word. 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 also said he thought tennis was free of performance-enhancing drug use for the most part, and he said he hoped it would stay that way through tough testing.

“The more, the better, as far as I’m concerned,” he said. “The stricter, the better; the more transparency, the better; the more accountability, the better. It’s sad to watch people who may question things for those that worked pretty darn hard.”

That may be a lesson that finds its way into Athletes for Hope 101.

Photo of the Day

Big Z thanks the banners for that one.

Quote of the Day

“The injury occurred when Pavano slipped and fell while shoveling snow on his driveway in Vermont, one source said.”
– Ken Rosenthal, describing Carl Pavano’s most recent injury, a ruptured spleen

Tweet of the Day

Bryce Harper hits Jeopardy!

CATEGORY: THAT’S A CLOWN QUESTION, BRO. CLUE: Tim Curry described this character as “a smile gone bad” #jeopardy

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) January 25, 2013

Video of the Day

And that’s how you beat Roger Federer.