Erstellt am: 11. 10. 2012 - 15:03 Uhr

"The most sophisticated doping program"

Reality Check: Shock doping report on Lance Armstrong, North Korea missiles, Vice Presidential debate, Shell in court over Nigeria pollution, Technikqueens

It's only a couple of months ago that we were talking about Lance Armstrong being stripped of all his major cycling titles, including 7 Tour de France victories. At that point, he had decided to pull out of the sport and stop fighting his legal battle against doping allegations. Still maintaining his innocence, he said he had had enough of fighting the accusations.

I couldn't help wondering at the time whether he wasn't hoping that if he stopped his own fight, the whole story would just go away. It hasn't - instead it has come back and it's bigger and uglier than ever.

A new report by the US Anti Doping Agency includes evidence from 26 witnesses who all testify to Armstrong's doping. 11 of them are his former team mates, who only broke their silence on the issue under subpoena.

So, all Armstrongs credibility goes out of the window. It's clear, he did dope, whatever he says. But that's not the end of it. Not only did he take banned substances himself, he persuaded, cajoled and coerced his team mates into doing the same thing. The US Anti-Doping Agency says Lance Armstrong ran "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen".

Anti doping expert Barrie Houlihan give his analysis of the latest accusations and explains.

• North Korea's missiles

North Korea says it has missiles that would reach the US mainland, but does this claim represent a realistic threat?
Military analyst Paul Beaver looks at the technical realities behind North Korea's nuclear rhetoric.

• Vice Presidents' Debate

Paul Ryan and Joe Biden go head to head in their only televised debate this evening. Priscilla Huff previews the debate and the pitfalls each candidate needs to look out for.

• Shell in court in the Hague

Oil giant Shell is in court facing charges related to pollution in Nigeria. John Cummins reports on the case and the issues around it.

• Technikqueens

Joanna Bostock reports on an OMV sponsored project to encourage girls to show their talents in technology.

FM4 Reality Check

Monday to Friday from 12.00 to 14.00, and after the show via Podcast or fm4.orf.at/realitycheck.