Good morning. This Monday should be relatively mild, with a high near 60. But beginning Tuesday, a strong storm system is expected to blow into the Austin area. The National Weather Service says rainfall totals of three to four inches are in the forecast, with up to six inches in isolated spots.
Let us know what sort of rains you experience: email news@kut.org or tweet pics and messages to KUTnews.
Armstong’s end game: We noted late Friday evening a report from The New York Times that Lance Armstrong, the seven time Tour de France winner who saw his wins erased in a massive doping scandal, was considering admitting to use of performance-enhancing drugs.
Austin resident Armstrong had vociferously denied the changes for years, and disparaged the agency behind them, the United States Anti-Doping Agency, until he shocked observers this summer by announcing he’d no longer contest the charges.
What does Armstrong stand to gain at this point? Readmission into the world of competitive sports. A follow-up analysis by the Times says a reconciliation effort could aid both parties:
“In the end, no matter how much [USADA chief executive Travis Tygart] and Armstrong had fought each other, they still need each other. Armstrong, 41, would like to resume competing in triathlons and running events that are sanctioned by organizations that follow the World Anti-Doping Code. Tygart wants to know how Armstrong so skillfully eluded testing positive for banned drugs for nearly a decade.”
UT track coach’s confession: The Austin American-Statesman ran a lengthy story this weekend regarding former UT Women’s Track and Field coach Bev Kearney. She told the daily that her resignation in November was the result of what she described as a “consensual intimate relationship” with an adult student athlete nearly a decade ago. The former student notified UT officials in the fall, and Kearney was placed on leave.
She tells the Statesman she regrets the decision:
“You destroy yourself. You start questioning how could you make such a judgment,” she said. “How could you make such an error after all the years? You can get consumed (by it).”
But her attorney goes on offense, telling the Statesman Kearney’s been singled out. Here’s attorney Derek A. Howard:
“We believe that Ms. Kearney has been subjected to a double standard and has received far harsher punishment than that being given to her male counter-parts who have engaged in similar conduct.”
More weekend news:
- Volunteer crews cleaned up Waller Creek Sunday morning. Read more about the city’s flood-abating development plans for the downtown creek.
- In the aftermath of the Newtown shooting, city and county officials consider restricting gun shows. The Texas Department of Transportation withdrew offering freeway directions for Houston-area gun shows, but has since reversed course.
- Curling’s deep freeze in Sunset Valley: The Statesman on the Austin Curling Center’s two-year slog to build a “world-class” facility in Sunset Valley (albeit a world-class facility with eight parking spaces.)
