HARARE - Zimbabwe swimming sensation, Kirsty Coventry has joined the world in condemning disgraced American cyclist Lance Armstrong over the widely publicised doping scandal.

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles for doping offences and could be forced to repay prize money estimated at $3,5 million.

Armstrong, who battled cancer to return to professional cycling, was viewed by millions of people across the world as a living sport legend and icon before the scandal broke out.

The American cyclist has however, denied the charges that have been brought before him by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada).

Coventry, who won seven Olympic medals, said although Armstrong should be lauded for fighting cancer, his doping offences should be condemned unreservedly.

“I respect Lance Armstrong for surviving cancer, but that does not give him the freedom to use drugs,” Coventry wrote on her Facebook page.

“My mum is also a cancer survivor; perhaps if she had started doping she could have been great on a bike too.”

Coventry has urged sports personalities to manage peer pressure and not engage in activities they will regret later.

“Sport also has a lot to do with managing peer pressure, so just doing something because everybody else is, is just not good enough for me,” Coventry added.

“I thank Usada and UCI for making an example of Lance because it will show others that it doesn’t matter who you are, you will get caught.

“Let’s move on from this and not let the actions of a few, destroy what others have achieved. Cycling is a great sport.”

Armstrong is the latest on a list of sporting icons that have fallen from grace in recent years.

Cycling as a sport has also taken a huge battering in recent years due to the many athletes that have failed drug tests.

This latest doping scandal involving Armstrong leaves the sport needing a lot of soul searching.