I was incredulous after reading the editorial, “Au Revoir, Lance Armstrong” (BDN, July 26). Dr. Edward Coyle, an exercise physiologist, calls Lance Armstrong a “phenomenon of natural selection” and a person who is “truly inspired.”

No doubt this is true, but it is pointless to discuss achievement in the cycling world without mentioning the pervasiveness of drugs and steroids in the sport. Armstrong has apparently always denied that he took steroids, but there are ways around drug tests, and there are numerous performance-enhancing drugs that are not classified as steroids, as we learned from the scandals in baseball last spring. It is a slippery slope to go from taking dietary supplements to certain kinds of drugs.

Armstrong has and will continue to rake in millions of dollars in endorsements. He has a duty to categorically deny that he ever took any kind of performance-enhancing drug during his career. Otherwise his victories ring hollow and he sets a terrible example for young people who aspire to his achievements in the sport.

Debbie Walker

Hermon