Sympathy for Lance Armstrong (accuse, Obama, crime, dollars)
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When doping is so incredibly prevalent in the sport to that point where you can't possibly win without it, then it becomes not the athletes who are at fault but the regulatory organization's fault for allowing it to go on as much as it was.
The attempt to make the grand tours drug free has been a legalistic climb comparable to topping the alp d'huez. Doping has been apart of the Tour since its inception when riders used strychnine, amphetamines and cocaine (just to name a few). In 1930 Tour organizers had to remind riders that the Tour would not reimburse riders for their drug expenditures.
Nothing is real anymore. Doping, steroids, even golf clubs have gotten so big you can't miss the ball. That said, I'm disgusted with Lance and what he did to his body especially since he's a cancer survivor. I think he should back away from Livestrong and let others continue the good work.
Assuming for the moment that the accusations are true (and I'm inclined to believe they are), I'm not gonna shed a tear for the guy. The "everyone else is/was doing it" defense is a playground retort not worthy of an adult with integrity. If you're required to cheat to be competitive, then the proper thing to do is walk away and find another outlet for your energies.
And yet there's a certain irony of having his medals and TdF wins stripped and awarded to other people who were almost certainly dopers too.
I am really split. Cycling is a dirty sport - you don't even qualify for the Tour if you don't juice if reports are correct. On the other, how can you present yourself as a winner if you're cheating?
My big concern is Livestrong. They are the only major cancer organization that was able to offer substantive help during my battle. In particular, there is a definite skew within their services toward young adults. Many people I know were able to afford emergency fertility measures upon diagnosis thanks to the services that Livestrong provides. Lance's downfall reflects very poorly on an amazing organization - and my real fear is that it will cause donations and grants to dry up, negatively impacting future support-seekers.
For the past several years, while driving to work in the early morning, I frequently would have to exercise caution on the narrow roads due to a local group of youngish men (mainly early to mid thirties) riding their racing bikes.
This group of about 10 or 12 men took their biking seriously: they each wore the attire worn by Mr. Armstrong and other biking professionals, complete with artificial sponsor badges on their clothes and helmets.
I was reminded of the aftermath of the original movie "Rocky". When that movie came out, jogging became a real fad. Thus with Mr. Armstrong's success, you had men dressing up like Mr. Armstrong and buying expensive bikes.
I have not seen this group for at least two weeks. It would be a shame if they disbanded due to the disgrace of Mr. Armstrong, since they obviously enjoyed riding together, and it is good exercise. Hopefully, some other sports idol will come along that these young men can emulate, such as table tennis or such.
As to Mr. Armstrong: if he feels that he is being unfairly harmed by that sports authority, he should sue for libel and slander. Indeed, I guess he would need to sue his teammates. Perhaps even Ms. Sheryl Crow, since she has money.
Assuming for the moment that the accusations are true (and I'm inclined to believe they are), I'm not gonna shed a tear for the guy. The "everyone else is/was doing it" defense is a playground retort not worthy of an adult with integrity. If you're required to cheat to be competitive, then the proper thing to do is walk away and find another outlet for your energies.
And yet there's a certain irony of having his medals and TdF wins stripped and awarded to other people who were almost certainly dopers too.
cheat???? its just a job. its not about cheating to win a game, its about getting a high paying job. there is no cheating. maybe to the millions of screaming fools its some kind of game of sport where "sportsmanship" has some kind of childish goofy meaning. something so unimportant as guys throwing a ball through a hoop or riding a bike faster than another person. these are just the job requirements and if you want that high paying job, you do what it takes.
besides, im not sure how you can call it "cheating" if all of them are doing it anyway. its a job requirement.
cheat???? its just a job. its not about cheating to win a game, its about getting a high paying job. there is no cheating. maybe to the millions of screaming fools its some kind of game of sport where "sportsmanship" has some kind of childish goofy meaning. something so unimportant as guys throwing a ball through a hoop or riding a bike faster than another person. these are just the job requirements and if you want that high paying job, you do what it takes.
besides, im not sure how you can call it "cheating" if all of them are doing it anyway. its a job requirement.
again, no.
He is a professional rider, who is required to adhere to the UCI rules, which are part of WADA.
He broke those rules. Therefore, he cheated.
Its a job of a different nature. He told the world that he did it cleanly, he is a liar and a cheat.
They're not all cheating.
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