babastooey said:
Look, I get what you are saying...but when a sport's culture fades and devolves into corruption, the people who love the sport want to see it turned around sooner rather than later. Which is why I suppose they decided to name the group "Change Cycling Now" ... as opposed to "Change Cycling Eventually." I hope it is the former and not the latter.
And to add to my earlier comments on "Change Cycling Now" vs. "Change the UCI President Now" -- changing the leadership I feel is only a small component of changing the sport.
Ultimately, what needs to change is the mindset of the people who take the drugs. What most amazed me about reading Hamilton's book was that he blood doped and took whatever he was given -- seemingly without any thought to his health or well being. Change Cycling Now should use their members who have a doping past to speak about their personal experience and talk about the hazards to their well being from doing it. The goal being, that they should change the perspective of the riders -- so that they focus more on the dangers and the risks. Changing the UCI leadership would be helpful in this area, because it would present an opportunity to set up a system where riders can feel empowered -- that they have an advocate and a support network in the event that they are pressured by anyone associated with their team into doping -- and therefore can stand up to it. Before, riders either had to cheat or quit. Some quit, but most decided to cheat because they weren't educated about the health risks and they lacked the support to stand up for themselves and say no.
What also needs to change is that the sport needs to prove to its supporters -- who drive the efforts of sponsors to be involved in the sport and therefore provides the funding for the sport -- that the sport is clean and heading in the right direction. Otherwise, more sponsors will follow Rabobank out the door and cripple the sport. In order to accomplish this, the drug testing must be improved and the system as to how tests are administered must improve. Changing leadership would also be instrumental in this area as well.
I look forward to hearing how Change Cycling Now intends to address these two main points. Present a plan - change the culture -- not just leadership -- and win back the sponsors and fans. Challenge McQuaid to implement this ideas, and then when he refuses or drags his feet -- then make it clear that he is standing in the way of the progressive ideas they are advocating. I hope in these two areas they provide positive ideas and are successful at promoting them and do not waste their time playing politics, which I feel is not productive.
Hi Babastooey,
I think CCN have those two crucial topics at the forefront of their minds. As far as cultural change goes, they have Dr Hoberman onboard (a widely respected academic with a serious interest in this subject for 25 years).
Also, they have had the foresight to welcome Gianni Bugno, the Professional Riders Association head. This is on the surface a somewhat controversial move considering his recent post RD history and historical support for the UCI. My take is that more insightful members of the CCN panel are hoping to "work on him" and get him on-side, with the longer-term aim of effecting wider cultural change.
As far as CNN convincing the fan base of their bona fides, I rather think it's the other way around to a greater or lesser degree!
Judging by some of the attitudes and apparent obliviousness evident over on the PRR side of this site, CNN have their work cut out to gain critical mass & momentum.
This comes under remit of Hoberman again, who has identified this tendency amongst sports fans (not just in cycling) as one of the key cultural changes to be addressed before meaningful change can be effected.
Anyway, that's my take on it.
But most important of all right now, before any of this, is to get those two out and a (reluctant but willing) Greg in!
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