Alexi Grewel in training for comeback at 50! Inspiring or Unwelcome?

[Anonymous]

That scenario is long on big ideas and woefully short on specifics. Giving him this kind of benefit of doubt is huge and will end poorly.

Do you really think the industry wants him? Of the people on the industry side now, he at least p1ssed off more than half of them when they were broke racers. I have no clue how many bridges he burned, but there would be no surprise to find out he did.

He doesn't need to race to go back to them and make an effort to mend fences. At 50, that's what you do. Not Grewal. Nope. He's rehashing the 'glory' days. For what practical purpose? None. Again, I wish the guy well. I do. Riding to relax, have some competitive fun is great. What he's doing is something else, and not a great choice.

He was a homeless methhead...um, mopping up at a peep show is a step up from there.

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

He was a homeless methhead...um, mopping up at a peep show is a step up from there.

Meth? Really? Hadn't read or heard anything about that. Has this been verified?

 

[Anonymous]

Meth? Really? Hadn't read or heard anything about that. Has this been verified?

"Adding to the prestige of this year's race is former U.S. gold medalist Alexi Grewal. The 50-year-old is attempting a comeback after years battling homelessness and drug addiction."

Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/03/03/1794760/no-longer-a-sprint-to-finish.html#ixzz1FrNgmtnk

You get a pretty smile like that from meth use.

 

[flicker]

He was a homeless methhead...um, mopping up at a peep show is a step up from there.

If what you are saying is true, why would you not applaud Alexi for turning his life around? My dislike for him is about winning an Olympic medal dishonestly. I have always believed that the Olympics are sacred ground, Alexi, Tyler.
Other than that Alexi should have fun and make his magnificient comeback, starting at the Merco race, yo, Adrian?

 

[M Sport]

If what you are saying is true, why would you not applaud Alexi for turning his life around? My dislike for him is about winning an Olympic medal dishonestly. I have always believed that the Olympics are sacred ground, Alexi, Tyler.
Other than that Alexi should have fun and make his magnificient comeback, starting at the Merco race, yo, Adrian?

I agree. Why kick a 50 year old in the guts for getting back on the bike and having a go, and ditching drugs. If he wants to ride then good luck to him.

Just on your other point, what was dishonest about his win?

 

[flicker]

I agree. Why kick a 50 year old in the guts for getting back on the bike and having a go, and ditching drugs. If he wants to ride then good luck to him.

Just on your other point, what was dishonest about his win?

He was sanctioned for a positive of some sort of PED during competition and then it was murkily overturned by a US sporting agency. Two weeks before the Olympics. There was absolutely no reason for the ban to be lifted, except that Grewal was a possible Olympic contender. Of course the win was legal, for me it is a matter of clear conscience for the individual.

 

[Fausto's Schnauzer]

"Adding to the prestige of this year's race is former U.S. gold medalist Alexi Grewal. The 50-year-old is attempting a comeback after years battling homelessness and drug addiction."

Read more: http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2011/03/03/1794760/no-longer-a-sprint-to-finish.html#ixzz1FrNgmtnk

You get a pretty smile like that from meth use.

Thanks. I didn't really doubt it, I just hadn't seen documentation. I for one am rooting for him. Structure should be very therapeutic for him, and it will be very interesting to see what he can accomplish.

 

[mewmewmew13]

He was sanctioned for a positive of some sort of PED during competition and then it was murkily overturned by a US sporting agency. Two weeks before the Olympics. There was absolutely no reason for the ban to be lifted, except that Grewal was a possible Olympic contender. Of course the win was legal, for me it is a matter of clear conscience for the individual.

If I remember correctly, was he not also dishonest with Davis P, as Phinney was bonking and asked Alexi if he had anything at all to help as the two were together, Alexi said no, and later admitted that he never intended to help Davis....

 

[Semper Fidelis]

If I remember correctly, was he not also dishonest with Davis P, as Phinney was bonking and asked Alexi if he had anything at all to help as the two were together, Alexi said no, and later admitted that he never intended to help Davis....

That is called racing. Why help Davis win the gold when you think you have a legit chance at it also?

I do not think Alexi won the "Sacred Olympics" (nothing sacred about the sell out games) dishonestly....flicks thinks so but in my opinion flicks is wrong.

 

[flicker]

That is called racing. Why help Davis win the gold when you think you have a legit chance at it also?

I do not think Alexi won the "Sacred Olympics" (nothing sacred about the sell out games) dishonestly....flicks thinks so but in my opinion flicks is wrong.

I guess Alexi agrees.http://velonews.competitor.com/2008/04/news/an-essay-by-1984-olympic-gold-medalist-alexi-grewal_740

 

[flicker]

http://www.stanford.edu/~learnest/cyclops/grewal.htm
Obviously a heretic!

 

[flicker]

Always important to have a noted Eastern Bloc defector coach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Borysewicz

 

[mewmewmew13]

That is called racing. Why help Davis win the gold when you think you have a legit chance at it also?

I do not think Alexi won the "Sacred Olympics" (nothing sacred about the sell out games) dishonestly....flicks thinks so but in my opinion flicks is wrong.

Gee, Glen, I don't think you-know-who would have been very happy with Hincapie or Landis or any other number of his team mates during a Tour if they had taken that attitude ...and gone for the win themselves.

 

[Dave_1]

I see AG survived the last stage of that race at the weekend. Well done. Think plenty half his age were DNFd and the two riders behind him on the stage somewhat younger than him?

 

[ricara]

Flick, you are a clueless, useless troll. Go back under your bridge.

Always important to have a noted Eastern Bloc defector coach http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Borysewicz

Alexi never listened to a word that Eddy said. Alexi was not part of Eddy and Ed Burke's blood doping squad. He wasn't in the Olympic Village at all -- stayed in some friends' place away from everyone else. He didn't like the other riders and they didn't like him.

Go sit on it and spin.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

Gee, Glen, I don't think you-know-who would have been very happy with Hincapie or Landis or any other number of his team mates during a Tour if they had taken that attitude ...and gone for the win themselves.

That is not a good comparison. The Olympics was one and done. The TDF is about having a team leader and supporting the leader. I am not sure why would anyone bring that team and rider up in this thread??????????????????

 

[flicker]

Alexi never listened to a word that Eddy said. Alexi was not part of Eddy and Ed Burke's blood doping squad. He wasn't in the Olympic Village at all -- stayed in some friends' place away from everyone else. He didn't like the other riders and they didn't like him.

Go sit on it and spin.

http://articles.ocregister.com/2009..._blood-doping-eddie-borysewicz-olympic-race/3

I never said Alexi was under the influence of PEDs when he won the Olympics.
My point is if he is role modeling something, Alexi needs to explore his own ethics. From time to time it is good to check in with oneself.
It said in the above article that he tested positive for PEDs 10 days before the Olympics.
Blood doping and Eddy B. is not the issue , that was also legal at the time and I ausume that practice was common in many sports during the Olympics 84.
Of course blood doping has advanced in oh so many ways at this time, and the other PED use has become a fine science compared to those crude 84 days! No comparison to now, those quick Pursuit and TT times might have something more to do than aerodynamic machines, wind tunnel work, and altitude tents!

 

[mewmewmew13]

That is not a good comparison. The Olympics was one and done. The TDF is about having a team leader and supporting the leader. I am not sure why would anyone bring that team and rider up in this thread??????????????????

Racing is racing...both are races. Riding for a leader.
Ethics.
????????????????

 

[red_flanders]

Alexi never listened to a word that Eddy said. Alexi was not part of Eddy and Ed Burke's blood doping squad. He wasn't in the Olympic Village at all -- stayed in some friends' place away from everyone else. He didn't like the other riders and they didn't like him.

Go sit on it and spin.

Please try and make your points without the personal insults, particularly in your post title. We can have strong opinions but personal insults cross the line. Thanks!

Flicker, thanks for not replying in kind.

 

[DirtyWorks]

If what you are saying is true, why would you not applaud Alexi for turning his life around?

The problems begin in the specifics of 'turning his life around.' Typical crazy logic of an addict personality, he's chosen to pursue racing over getting into some steady work and personal transformation. On top of that, kids take precedence. He's passing on another kind of crazy to his kid AND not doing the hard work of legitimate recovery.

 

[flicker]

The problems begin in the specifics of 'turning his life around.' Typical crazy logic of an addict personality, he's chosen to pursue racing over getting into some steady work and personal transformation. On top of that, kids take precedence. He's passing on another kind of crazy to his kid AND not doing the hard work of legitimate recovery.

I see it as a 'Field of Dreams' logic. You build the ball park and the fans will come. What do they call it, logical fallacy?

 

[DirtyWorks]

That is not a good comparison. The Olympics was one and done. The TDF is about having a team leader and supporting the leader. I am not sure why would anyone bring that team and rider up in this thread??????????????????

Glenn,

Winning a 'one and done' requires a team leader and supporting that leader. The exceedingly rare exception would be a LeMond racing at an regional level who is simply the class of the field and needs no team.

I'd argue Alexi did a masterful job getting the win. But it was done in the least honorable way, sucking wheel and screwing your teammates. It's good racing because it's a 'win.' There are/were widespread social/political consequences once the race is over. The guy has earned his reputation.

As a matter of fact, it was reported over the years that Alexi basically flew solo at the Olympics. That leads me to believe he wasn't a part of Eddie B's doping program. Was he doping anyway? Yup.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I see it as a 'Field of Dreams' logic. You build the ball park and the fans will come. What do they call it, logical fallacy?

Come to what? All the money he's NOT making pursuing this strategy? Let's argue for a minute the guy gets paid for his antics. A 'sandwich artist' at Subway earns more in a year.

Again, the specifics of it is a mess. Which, is likely a reflection of his personal life.

 

[flicker]

Come to what? All the money he's NOT making pursuing this strategy? Let's argue for a minute the guy gets paid for his antics. A 'sandwich artist' at Subway earns more in a year.

Again, the specifics of it is a mess. Which, is likely a reflection of his personal life.

Agreed! He gets mega air time, but why. I guess Alexi has a large following?

 

[fatandfast]

http://articles.ocregister.com/2009..._blood-doping-eddie-borysewicz-olympic-race/3

I never said Alexi was under the influence of PEDs when he won the Olympics.
My point is if he is role modeling something, Alexi needs to explore his own ethics. From time to time it is good to check in with oneself.
It said in the above article that he tested positive for PEDs 10 days before the Olympics.
Blood doping and Eddy B. is not the issue , that was also legal at the time and I ausume that practice was common in many sports during the Olympics 84.
Of course blood doping has advanced in oh so many ways at this time, and the other PED use has become a fine science compared to those crude 84 days! No comparison to now, those quick Pursuit and TT times might have something more to do than aerodynamic machines, wind tunnel work, and altitude tents!

Alexi never listened to logic and tried to parlay his gold medal into some personal gain. He was tall, good looking, well spoken, super athlete..he went on the rebel mode thing and loved his role as an outsider. He was an outsider to Eddy B. AG always knew better than everybody else.

He is doing it again. What life coach or doctor could see the long term benefit for a 50 year old with some enormous health and financial concerns to go full pipe dream and train everyday for four to 8 hours ? If Bobke and Parkins have a few 1000 people willing to listen and buy their stories I hope Grewal is doing this as a prepromotion to a book. There are 1000's of able writers all over Colorado that can help him get it done.

His no money,strained family,toothless smile. and drug history stories may hold charm to some..so write a book and sell it to them