People who paid to see Lance Armstrong at the RDS in Dublin today won’t be getting their money back – after the cyclist pulled out of the event.
Organisers of the ‘One-Zero sport and tech conference’ claim he was just one of dozens of high profile speakers booked – so they won’t be refunding any of the tickets – which range in price up to €775.
Armstrong has pulled out of the much-hyped interview before an audience, citing legal reasons.
The American athlete, who was infamously stripped of his seven Tour de France titles over doping, was due to appear at the conference today.
An on-stage interview at the widely-publicised ticket-only event in the RDS was to be followed by a 45-minute question and answer session open to the crowd.
In a statement yesterday, organisers said they were “acutely aware” of the pending legal case and addressed the issue during negotiations “some months back”.
Today Rob Hartnett – Co-founder of One-Zero – said they will pursue Armstrong for the money.
“Money has been paid and we will be seeking to get that money back,” Hartnett said. “It’s part of the terms of the contract.
“This all broke less than 24 hours ago so we’ll be with lawyers after the event.”
Ewan McKenna, the journalist who had flown to Ireland to interview the disgraced former champion cyclist, had expressed his disappointment with the cancellation on Twitter.
1/2 Had planned to pass @lancearmstrong a mirror tomorrow and ask him what he saw. His 23rd hour withdrawal makes me wonder still more.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 20, 2016
2/2 Feel for organisers. In researching it his coward-like quality and lack of apologies constant theme. Here we are again. Play with fire.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 20, 2016
Armstrong did a broadcast interview with an Irish radio station earlier this month.
