Cyclist Scott Mercier walked away from Armstrong, doping

BY Alyssa Kleven  on January 15, 2013 @ 7:17 am (Updated: 8:20 am - 1/15/13 )

AP: 631775f6-f8b8-4e2e-8227-56ce886bc386
In this Dec. 2, 2008, file photo, Lance Armstrong stands in Livestrong apparel before a training session with the Astana cycling team in Los Cristianos, on the Canary Island of Tenerife, Spain. The cyclist was stripped of his Tour de France titles, lost most of his endorsements and was forced to leave the board of his foundation last year after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency issued a damning, 1,000-page report that accused him of masterminding a long-running doping scheme. (AP Photo/Arturo Rodriguez, File) | Zoom
"One of the most powerful athletes in the world has been held accountable for his actions," said Scott Mercier.

He had a chance to join one of the most successful cycling teams in the U.S., but when it came down to doping, he said no and walked away.

Now that Lance Armstrong has come clean about his doping past, Mercier said he was unsure Armstrong would own up.

"He denied it for so long, I didn't think this day would come," Mercier told Seattle's Morning News.

Mercier walked away from the sport at the peak of his career. He was an Olympic athlete, but he wouldn't play by the rules set forth by Armstrong and his team - which meant he wouldn't be cycling on the Tour de France team or going to another Olympics.

In western Colorado, Mercier now has a wife, a 13-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son. He's a financial adviser and owns two Carls Jr. restaurants.

He gave up a career as a professional athlete - but was that fair? "Life isn't fair."

"I wouldn't say I suffered because I refused to dope," said Mercier. "I had to give up a career as a professional athlete, or I was going to do the same thing as everyone else."

Mercier said that about four months ago, when Armstrong's doping past really became a part of the public conversation, he had a frank conversation with his wife.

"'Honey,' she said, 'aren't you glad you're not coming home and sitting down with your son and daughter - telling your kids that you're a lying fraud.'"

Some people are willing to do whatever it takes to win. As for Armstrong's now-stripped away titles, he's not sure Armstrong couldn't have won without the drugs. As Armstrong has now said, he wanted to be a part of a level playing field by also doping - Mercier just doesn't think that's a legitimate argument.

Mercier didn't suffer because he wasn't willing to play by the doping rules. He had a degree to fall back on. As a man that's passionate about cycling, he wants to make sure that other athletes have an education as well.

"If you look at the last big tour, the grand tour, the Vuelta a Espana, I think about 10 or less than five percent of the people had a degree racing in that," said Mercier. "I'm a huge proponent of getting these kids into the sport and an education."

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Alyssa Kleven is an editor and content producer at MyNorthwest.com. She enjoys doting over her adorable dachshund Winnie - named for Arcade Fire front-man Win Butler.
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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • hpygolkyone wrote...
    A Tip Of The Hat.............
    January 15, 2013 7:23 am
    To someone with some integrity who wasn't willing to sell out.

    "Life isn't fair?".......I think he has done himself and his family right by his decisions.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • anotherfencewalker wrote...
    and now we know...
    January 15, 2013 7:41 am
    Why his relationship and almost-marriage (announced by Lance on SNL) to Sheryl Crow came to a sudden abrupt end. She knew. That's an interview I'd really like to read.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Lance Armstrong: Lying A-hole
    January 15, 2013 8:00 am
    You make your bed, you sleep in it. Enjoy the ride down jerk.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MagneticPatriot wrote...
    Wow... are people still talking about this?
    January 15, 2013 8:28 am
    Who really cares? As if we didn't know something was up? Now he admits he's guilty... again is this really shocking? The only thing bad about this is the people who found strength and support from the his inspiration and his organization that helped people...
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ssbn629g wrote...
    People still talking about this?
    January 15, 2013 10:08 am
    You are
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • dash wrote...
    I am
    January 15, 2013 9:53 am
    all for people doing the right thing. I just don't thing you should tell other people you decided to do the right thing. For all I know this dry snitch just wasn't good enough even with the dope.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • ssbn629g wrote...
    Dash
    January 15, 2013 9:59 am
    Nice outlook.....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • cycle wrote...
    REALLY
    January 15, 2013 10:24 am
    So for 7 years the guy doped so well no one could catch him in the act while taking drug tests during a race. Doesn't say much for the Tour De Farce than does it or any other race Lance was in. Corrupt sport just like baseball was at the time.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    non story -
    January 15, 2013 1:57 pm
    pass!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Snout wrote...
    Move over or get run over
    January 15, 2013 7:50 pm
    you peddling morons. And stay off Mercer Island. It's a fun ride for your sorry, rash infested bikebutt but a nuisance for the rest of us. And what's with the racing suits? Are you in a race? Really? Is someone sponsoring your little peddle fest? NO. You pompous, arrogant little bstards are a pain and a problem! Keep in mind that 3,000 pounds of angry German steel are behind you whilst you dilly dally at just under the speed limit on the unpassable corners of East Mercer Way. One day you'll....(no actual threat should be implied).
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • soo purletiv wrote...
    @ Snout
    January 15, 2013 8:16 pm
    Have you considered therapy? ;-)

    Just run those rash infested bikebutt pompous, arrogant little bstards over and be done with it...

    I am in no way implying you should actually do this, of course...

    But it may be a sense of relief therapy... for the both of us! ;-)

    Not that I in any way encourage such licentious behavior, nor am I implying an actual threat...

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Moondoggie wrote...
    Dash
    January 15, 2013 10:23 pm
    I think its fine to have opinions, but I don’t think it’s ok to voice those opinions in such a way as to seem to assert that your opinions are more correct than other opinions. For all I know your opinions might be wrong.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }