My thoughts on Lance

-

"Lance is banned for life and stripped of his TDF titles."  

 At this point I do not believe it is a matter of guilty or innocent. Like VeloNews put it, it's a matter of "Does it really matter if he cheated?"

 With so many different opinions out there, I believe it's a matter of how you view the situation. I have grouped people's opinions into three categories.

 1) Livestrong

 What the Livestrong has done for cancer research and awareness, trumps the debate over his guilt. This is the impressive part of what he has done with his iconic status and ascension to the top of a sport. This is what we truly need to look at in regards to whether or not his guilt really matters.

 Those who view the situation in this way will tell you that what he did off the bike is far more impressive that what he did on the bike. After all, this is what REALLY matters when looking at the broader spectrum in life.
2) Sport - Guilty

 Building a sporting empire and legacy on a foundation without integrity is wrong. The financial gains, fame and endorsements have been falsely awarded in this situation. 

 If you are a competitor and someone comes in and tries to take away all that you have built through decades of hard work. If you have overcome cancer, ridden hundred's of thousand's of miles on the bike, if you have overcome overwhelming odds, beat cheaters, passed 1000's of tests and you have done all of this truthfully, do you fold?  

 Those who sit here likely will tell you that you don't fold and you fight tooth and nail, just like he did to win those tour titles. Folding is his own admission of guilt, regardless of the system that is in place.
3) Sport - Innocent

 Lance passed 100's of tests, he overcame cancer to beat the best cyclists in the world, he was a world class triathlete before and after his cycling career. These are all arguments that point to the fact that he was just THAT GOOD.

 USADA was on a witch hunt to take down the man at the top of the sport and all of this was truly a personal vendetta of those in charge over at USADA.

Regardless of your personal opinion of the man himself, I think you can all agree that what he has done for those with cancer is far more than anyone else, in another position, could have. 

 It's time to learn from this, clean up the sport for and preserve it for the future and move on...

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Using A Swim Test Within Your Training

-
Image
I typically see most athletes doing some sort of benchmark testing within their training, especially when it comes to swimming. However I don't always see those athletes using the result from that test within their training. It can be much more effective and engaging for athletes to actually use their swim test results within their training. Here's how: 1. Go test. Your bench mark testing should be something that is repeatable every block of training. You can do a 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, it really doesn't matter. When you test, make sure you swim smart. A good friend of mine always described any TT effort like this: -25% relaxed but fast, focusing on stroke rate and finding your rhythm -50% focusing on your test effort with good body position and quick turns on the walls -25% lifting the effort building in a bigger kick to finish 2. Using your test pace. Use your pace per 100 as the slowest target pace you are working around within 1 specific workout e
Read more

Ironman Texas Recap & Images

-
Image
Ironman Texas North American Championship 8:28:17 23rd Professional How it looks and feels to persevere through a day of racing by yourself when you are at less than your best and still come away with a new personal best time! This was my first time racing at Ironman Texas. A great venue and nearly perfect conditions greeted us on race morning. 60* air temp, 73* water temp (non wetsuit for Professionals) an d calm winds. A unique aspect of this swim is that the last 1/3 or so is swam up a canal. This gives spectators a front row seat to all the action and the opportunity to follow their athlete! Swim fitness was great coming in to the race but unfortunately I wasn't able to have a good performance in the water. I exited the water 5 minutes back of my usual pack. I was one of the few who was all alone on the bike course. I had to use most of the tricks in my bag to stay focused and engaged. I did a pretty good job and came i
Read more

2019 Ironman Wisconsin

-
Image
Ironman Wisconsin Race Report 6th Place - 9:01 1:00 - 4:55 - 2:59 Win, Lose or Draw, nothing sweeter than the finish line. This race is always the highlight of my season and as I progress through the late stages of my Professional racing career, it feels like it means even more when it comes around.  Training had gone very well: I worked hard, but not too hard. I raced well leading in, but didn't race too much. Maybe most importantly, I rested a LOT in the last three weeks before the big day. If there is one thing I have learned, it's that 37 is not the same as 27 or even 32. Recovery is something that seems to be under valued by many high level athletes racing in their late 30's. This year's race seemed to be wide open. A field of good athletes, but no one who would win on a "B" day. Given my experience, my training and health, I felt good about my chances for possibly a win and for sure a podium.  My mojo was high and the suppor
Read more