"I felt like if I died I'd be losing something pretty important; that's what dying is to me, dying is losing..."
The (paraphrased) quote above is from Lance Armstrong. It's pretty clear there are no fence-sitters when it comes to this man, for cyclists either love him or loathe him. I admit I fell off the fence ages ago and into the latter's yard.
I gotta say, with more than a little understatement, that the man's athletic achievements are quite something, and his philanthropic activities are admirable even if, as some argue, inefficient and maybe even a bit self-serving. I admire his riding style if not his overkill tactics. He seems to believe certain issues in the sport are unmentionable. He's a bit in the pocket of some unsavoury corporations, but he has a pretty good sense of humour from what I can gather.
The guy has won seven tours and has power and riches aplenty. So why is he still flogging the same dead horse? Why come back for more of the same with what is inevitably going to be a worse outcome? Professional sport is a young man's game, and a pretty selfish one at that.
I imagine some responses will mention a possible entry into politics or to further the work of his charity/companies. I think there's something else there, something deep-seated that always has been there: the poor guy is insecure.
There's a lot a personality of his standing could do. I wish he would do it instead of playing mindgames with youthful, single-minded men who don't give a fig about the problems of the world and who happen to awfully good at pedalling bikes.
Back to the quote, there's a real tragic pathos to it. Death isn't something you can beat. Losing, in this sense, is inevitable. No palmares or toys or kudos or power or popularity is going to overcome it.
LiveSTRONG while you can, preferably in the service of others, and don't get too attached to it in the process.
The (paraphrased) quote above is from Lance Armstrong. It's pretty clear there are no fence-sitters when it comes to this man, for cyclists either love him or loathe him. I admit I fell off the fence ages ago and into the latter's yard.
I gotta say, with more than a little understatement, that the man's athletic achievements are quite something, and his philanthropic activities are admirable even if, as some argue, inefficient and maybe even a bit self-serving. I admire his riding style if not his overkill tactics. He seems to believe certain issues in the sport are unmentionable. He's a bit in the pocket of some unsavoury corporations, but he has a pretty good sense of humour from what I can gather.
The guy has won seven tours and has power and riches aplenty. So why is he still flogging the same dead horse? Why come back for more of the same with what is inevitably going to be a worse outcome? Professional sport is a young man's game, and a pretty selfish one at that.
I imagine some responses will mention a possible entry into politics or to further the work of his charity/companies. I think there's something else there, something deep-seated that always has been there: the poor guy is insecure.
There's a lot a personality of his standing could do. I wish he would do it instead of playing mindgames with youthful, single-minded men who don't give a fig about the problems of the world and who happen to awfully good at pedalling bikes.
Back to the quote, there's a real tragic pathos to it. Death isn't something you can beat. Losing, in this sense, is inevitable. No palmares or toys or kudos or power or popularity is going to overcome it.
LiveSTRONG while you can, preferably in the service of others, and don't get too attached to it in the process.
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