I have a poster in the studio celebrating Lance Armstrong’s 7 Tour de France victories. Should I take it down? Should I take it down if Lance is convicted of defrauding the cycling community by taking banned substances?
Lance Armstrong has never tested positive (?). He was dominant in an era or cycling where doping was endemic, systematic and effective. Lance Armstrong has never tested positive.
Lance Armstrong came back from testicular cancer that nearly killed him, this is not in question. Lance Armstrong is the greatest cyclist of his generation, this is not in question. All of his competitors have been busted for taking performance enhancing products. Nearly all the cyclists that he had to beat to win his 7 victories in France have tested positive. He won when everyone else was dirty, if he was dirty did this just level the playing field?
Regardless of what Lance did or did not take, he is the face of modern road cycling. Lance Armstrong promoted the sport of road cycling beyond what anyone has ever done or will ever do. His story is that of true survivorship.
Does it matter? Yes, because it does tarnish his reputation. This however does not diminish his achievements in surviving cancer, winning those Tour victories, popularizing cycling, inspiring millions and setting up his charitable foundation.
Lance Armstrong is the greatest endurance athlete of his generation and maybe ever. He has inspired millions of people, helped millions of cancer sufferers an survivors, he co-wrote the greatest sports biography ever “It’s not about the bike.”, he is a true legend.
I will not take be taking down my Lance Armstrong poster.
Alan
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