History Book: A decade since a doping scandal

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Monday, October 17th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Up next: the WORLD History Book. Today, a brief history of a well-loved dish—eaten all around the world. Plus, 10 years ago this week, the U.S. anti-doping agency banned Lance Armstrong from cycling. But first, the 100th birthday of a British institution. Here’s Paul Butler.

PAUL BUTLER: We begin today on October 18th, 1922. A consortium of six companies establish a nationwide network of English radio transmitters—known as the British Broadcasting Company.

BBC HISTORY: Broadcasting is a development with which the develop must reckon—and reckon seriously.

Prior to 1922, the British government’s General Post Office had the exclusive rights to regulate all means of mass communication—including wireless telegraphy.

BBC HISTORY: As chairman of the British Broadcasting Company and on the occasion of the opening of our new London studio, I’m glad to have the opportunity of saying a few words for our many thousands of listeners throughout the country.

The BBC is the world’s oldest nationalized broadcaster. It is primarily funded by an annual license fee charged to all British households.

BBC HISTORY: On the Air song

The network changes its name to the British Broadcasting Corporation and spreads quickly—offering hundreds of hours of diverse programming across the British Isles. But it during World War II, it unites the empire:

BBC WAR REPORT: The evacuation of British children is going on smoothly and efficiently. The ministry of health says that great progress has been made with the government's arrangements.

The BBC began its broadcast television service shortly after the war and has played a prominent role in British life ever since.

BBC TV SIGN-ON: This is the BBC Television service…

It is sometimes known as the “Beeb.” Others refer to it as “Auntie” or “Auntie Beeb” due to its censorship over the years—the nickname was started by the comic broadcaster Kenny Everett, who likened the BBC's attitude to that of a repressed maiden aunt.

Next, a sports scandal ten years ago this week:

ABC NEWS: Breaking news tonight champion cyclist Lance Armstrong had until midnight to contest the career shattering doping charges brought against him by the country's highest force authority.

For years, Armstrong denied any wrongdoing.

LANCE ARMSTRONG: How many times do I have to say it?
INTERVIEWER: I'm just trying to make sure your testimony is clear.
ARMSTRONG: It can't be any clearer that I've never taken drugs, then incidents like that could never happen.

Yet just three months after the US anti doping agency officially stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles—plus his records, and prize monies—he changed his story. He agreed to talk with Oprah Winfrey:

OPRAH: Let's start with the questions that people around the world have been waiting for you to answer and for now, I just like a yes or no. Did you ever take banned substances to enhance your cycling performance?
ARMSTRONG: Yes.
OPRAH: Yes or No? Was one of those banned substances? EPO?
ARMSTRONG: Yes.
OPRAH: Did you ever blood dope or use blood transfusions to enhance your cycling performance?
ARMSTRONG: Yes.
OPRAH: Did you ever use any other banned substances like testosterone, cortisone or human growth hormone?
ARMSTRONG: Yes.
ORPAH: Yes or no. In all seven of your Tour de France victories? Did you ever take banned substances or blood dope?
ARMSTRONG: Yes.
OPRAH: In your opinion, was it humanly possible to win the Tour de France without doping? Seven times in a row?
ARMSTRONG: In my opinion. No.

In the end, Armstrong lost his major sponsors—including Nike, Oakley, and Trek bicycles. The IOC took away his Olympic medal, and he was banned for life from the sport of cycling.

ARMSTRONG: It's too late for probably most people. And that's my fault. You know, I view this situation as one big lie that I repeated a lot of times. I made my decisions there. My mistake. And I'm sitting here today to acknowledge that and to say I'm sorry for that.

And finally today, October is National Pizza Month:

MUSIC: THAT’S AMORE by Dean Martin

MUSIC: THAT’S AMORE by 101 Strings

Flatbreads with toppings have been around since the times of the ancient Egyptians. But the birthplace of modern pizza is in Naples, Italy. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, Naples had a large working class population. They often lived in very small dwellings with little more than one room. Much of their living and cooking was done outdoors. Residents frequently relied on cheap food vendors for their dinners. Pizza was an ideal meal: flatbread with simple toppings that could easily be eaten without utensils…or even dishes.

While middle to upper class Italians looked down on the eating habit, legend has it that in 1889, the queen of Italy visited Naples. Tired of the rich, opulent French dinners, she requested an assortment of pizzas from a local restaurant. Queen Margherita most enjoyed the pie topped with soft white cheese, red tomatoes and green basil—reminiscent of the Italian flag…and from then on it became known as pizza Margherita. The local dish’s popularity spread. As immigrants from Naples came to America, pizza came with them and it began to adapt to its new surroundings.

After World War II, pizza’s popularity grew as a fast food. And while boutique pizzas are highly adaptable to fine dining these days, it remains a staple for those on limited food budgets. Just ask any college student.

MUSIC: PIZZA ANGEL by Veggie Tales

That’s this week’s WORLD History Book. I’m Paul Butler.

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