The first fallacy stems from Lance ArmstrongÆs contention that a Parisian Laboratory that claims heÆs tested positive for the red blood cell booster ôEPO,ö is due to the LabÆs attempts to set him up: ôThereÆs a setup here and IÆm stuck in the middle of it. I absolutely do not trust that laboratoryö (Vertuno, 2005, p. 1). Armstrong is using an Ad Hominem fallacy here that represents a personal attack. In this fallacy, instead of using evidence to refute what are allegedly positive test results, Armstrong substitutes abusive remarks for evidence in attacking the claims. Armstrong also maintains, ôThe French have been after me forever,ö in trying to dispute the alleged evidence against him that he was doping during his celebrated Tour de France races (Vertuno, 2005, p. 2). Armstrong may be using a personal attack fallacy because between his seven victories and three victories of another American cyclist, the Tour de France, FranceÆs main cycle race, has been won ten times in the past twenty years by non-French cyclists. As such, Armstrong may perceive the French as out to ôget him,ö but this argument attacking the French for an ulterior motive in publicizing positive test results is not a valid substitute for evidence in refuting such claims. Instead of having documented evidence to the contrary, Armstrong merely maintains the French are involved in a ôwitch hunt,ö which the alleged positive test results demonstrate to his fallacious logic (Vertuno, 2005, p. 2).
Vertuno, J. (2005, Aug 26). Armstrong says heÆs victim of æsetupÆ; WADA to review lad work. iWon Sports News. Viewed on Aug 26, 2005: http://www.iwon.com, 1-2.
Armstrong Says He's Victim of 'Setup'; WADA to Review Lab Work Aug 26, 2:58 AM (ET) áEmail this Story By JIM VERTUNO
Even facing the most serious drug allegations of his career, Lance Armstrong says he sleeps well at night.
The seven-time Tour de France champion continues to try to...