http://sports.yahoo.com/sc/news;_ylt=Aj87iM0lzwNX2ItWKld3Oko5nYcB?slug=ap-landishearing&prov=ap&type=lgns

The hearing on reigning Tour de France champ Floyd Landis was not supposed to be a big story. It was supposed to be yet another steroid scandal, of course, but one exposing the seamy side of a sport that few people outside of aspiring participants really care a whole lot about. I mean, except for one race out of the year, bicycling is pretty much eclipsed by world class miming competitions as far as public interest goes. CURLING draws more spectators. But I digress.

Now, suddenly, it's become a world of blackmail and underhanded tactics, as former Tour de France champion Greg LeMond (the first American to win the race) took the witness stand and detailed how Landis' manager had threatened to reveal information that LeMond had been sexually abused as a child if LeMond showed up in court. Landis' manager admitted to the fact and was summarily dismissed.

It is highly unlikely that the circumstances of this trial will go unnoticed. Rather than making his client appear guilty, Landis' manager just made it pretty sure that by this time Floyd Landis will be known as the disgraced cheater of his sport, rather than the harangued champion. The Tour de France winner will no longer adorn the mantle of the recently heralded champ.

Do sports stars deserve the "death penalty" for steroid use? Honestly, I'm pretty mixed about this. But I DO think that sports stars whose managers use Mafia techniques probably shouldn't be near the sports.