Lance may have done a lot of things wrong, but that doesn't matter much right now. He has retired and his fate is in the hands of a federal prosecutor. He is probably already guilty in the court of public opinion. We will see what the legal system decides.
That said:
Even if he has profitted greatly from his foundation, he has still given more money to cancer research than I ever will. I find it hard to fault a person who gives more to a charity than I do.
The way he has been branded as a living folk hero was brilliant. He and his PR team did a great job of making LiveStrong a household word. Like it or not, their plan worked.
Having spoken with many cancer survivors in my practice, they almost always mention the inspiration of Armstrong. I have cycling posters on the wall, so that probably sparks their memory. Any person who gives hope and inspiration to many other people is doing something positive, even if there are negative aspects to how he achieved his fame and fortune.
I am neither a hater nor a fan. Frankly, I enjoy the Tour more without him, since the outcome is not so predictable. But, the guy deserves some amount of credit, even if it only for his ability to market himself effectively.
And, I never had a bracelet, never wore a yellow AIDS ribbon, never rode the MS 150, never did the Walk for Life, andnever wore a pink breast cancer ribbon.
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