The Official LANCE ARMSTRONG Thread 2010-2011

[elapid]

Point three: Given that his foundation has raised tens if not hundreds of millions for cancer research over the years it makes me laugh when people like you take cheap shots like your $2 million reference.

Agree with Dr. M. LiveStrong is about advocacy, not research. LiveStrong contributes next to nothing to cancer research. You definitely made me laugh with your ridiculous claim that LiveStrong has donated of hundreds of millions of dollars to cancer research.

 

[Publicus]

Lol if you say so. I'm beginning to see why Dimspace won't have a bar of you people. I am also fast realising that apparently a troll is someone who has the audacity to have a contrary opinion to the rat pack on here.

Well sorry but I will continue to post against stupid and bigoted comments while also being happy to interact in sensible discussion with people who can actually reason.

Well one thing is for certain, I'm not delusional.

 

[Laszlo]

Point 1. You said the hospital "benefited pretty well"... - well Rann & Lance did pretty well - yet the hospital still struggles to raise the required funds.

Point 2: This is true - they now have a hole in the ground where there was none before.

Point 2.5: I never referred to it as a "patient" wing and called it a 'research centre' twice, so...

Point 3: Nothing cheap (or amusing) about $2million of taxpayers money being spent on Rann's re-election campaign.

Point 3.5: The LAF appears well run and does a lot of good work although little goes to 'cancer research' as the LAFs stated goals are 'awareness'.

On your final point - no, I do not think like that - so that must make me happy.

Hospitals are convienient shells for developers, inside salesmen and politicians; can't fault LA for making an appearance fee- who here wouldn't love "making appearances" as a means of earning a living? It really is no reflection on the part of the person making the announcement if they forget to build the hospital after all the hoopla.

 

[Race Radio]

Hospitals are convienient shells for developers, inside salesmen and politicians; can't fault LA for making an appearance fee- who here wouldn't love "making appearances" as a means of earning a living? It really is no reflection on the part of the person making the announcement if they forget to build the hospital after all the hoopla.

I do not see anyone faulting Armstrong for taking appearance fees.....but some are questioning this ruse that it is all about cancer awareness and Rann saying that all the $$ were going to Livestrong, when it was not.

 

[theswordsman]

Lance must be one of the most inspiring people in the world. He even inspires his haters to new levels of hate never seen before. These guys live to hate lance. I can only imagine how devastated they would become if lance disappeared from the cosmos. Of course they might have a lot more free time.

I was a big fan of Armstrong until this time last year. I defended him in comments sections just like some do here. But I had also been a casual fan before, like many of those who still praise him. When he started the comeback, I was unemployed and suffering from depression, and looking for a spark of inspiration anywhere I could find it. I read everything that hit Google about the training, etc., from the MTB race in Colorado, the Time Trials in Texas, etc.

I've got a strong memory, and I'd remember what he said he would do, and then what he actually did, and there was a big difference. Then came the Astana training camp in Santa Rosa, where he trained with the Trek Livestrong team for a few days before bailing on camp. He made a huge deal out of his TT bike being stolen at ATOC, even though there was time for a replacement, but didn't give a damn that some of his teammates had race bikes they needed the next day stolen. And he had to have his personal photographer on a race moto, and acted like he didn't know who it was after he crashed behind her (she admitted it on twitter).

By the time the Tour was over, he was a poster child for arrogance, entitlement, and manipulating the press to spew his own hatred. I've spoken to a lot of other fans, and even journos, who supported the comeback but were forced the opposite direction last year. For me it all came down to the Tekegraaf / Het Nieuwsblad interview he gave which led me to coin the phrase Wheel Gate.

Contador had told La Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian sports publication, that he had to buy hos own TT wheels for the Tour de France. He didn't make a big deal out of it. Armstrong responded by totally trashing Alberto's life, calling him a liar, accusing the Spanish press of lying, and calling them vulgar names. He talked total nonsense about how if he would have been in Contador's position, he would have saved the Astana riders which he and Bruyneel stole.

Then he invented a rivalry that consisted of him insulting Contador while Alberto didn't even pay attention to what he was saying, much less respond. And now, after months of getting the press, and even Pat McQuaid to promote the rivalry, he's found excuses to avoid actually racing Contador.

At Circuit de Sarthe, the team announced in a statement that he was pulling out of the classics so he could do Pinewood Derby with his son, even though that was over way before the last two Ardennes Classics. Then some of his teammates from the Saturday before had stomach problems, so after a surprise doping control, he got them too, and decided that would be the reason he pulled out of the races - forget the Pinewood Derby stuff.

So, before the Pinewood Derby, he tried to impress his twitter followers because he flew on his private jet to take the car to a wind tunnel. The PD is a Scout event meant to get fathers and sons to spend time together. To be fair, everyone starts with the same four dollar kit of wheels, axles and a block of wood. Imagine if you were some guy who was good working with wood, and you and your son spent a lot of time working on the car and testing it, and then some millionaire tried to buy a win for his son by going to a wind tunnel with engineers. Armstrong claimed that the car didn't compete because of major technical difficulties (wheels, axles, block of wood), but do you think the other parents might have heard about the wind tunnel and complained? Would you think it was fair if a rich politician, or a movie actor, or some Wall Street mogul had tried it? And would you be surprised if they bragged about it to 2.5 million people, including the press?

None of what I just wrote was hatred. If you think it was, try reading it again. I was a loyal fan who blogged about him to save time for other loyal fans, and to make sure they didn't miss anything. He turned me with his actions. And I don't believe he was clean at the 2009 Tour de France.

I'll be glad when he's retired from cycling and I never have to give him another thought, but he's got some karma to deal with before he's done racing.

 

[offbyone]

I was a big fan of Armstrong until this time last year. I defended him in comments sections just like some do here. But I had also been a casual fan before, like many of those who still praise him. When he started the comeback, I was unemployed and suffering from depression, and looking for a spark of inspiration anywhere I could find it. I read everything that hit Google about the training, etc., from the MTB race in Colorado, the Time Trials in Texas, etc.

I've got a strong memory, and I'd remember what he said he would do, and then what he actually did, and there was a big difference. Then came the Astana training camp in Santa Rosa, where he trained with the Trek Livestrong team for a few days before bailing on camp. He made a huge deal out of his TT bike being stolen at ATOC, even though there was time for a replacement, but didn't give a damn that some of his teammates had race bikes they needed the next day stolen. And he had to have his personal photographer on a race moto, and acted like he didn't know who it was after he crashed behind her (she admitted it on twitter).

By the time the Tour was over, he was a poster child for arrogance, entitlement, and manipulating the press to spew his own hatred. I've spoken to a lot of other fans, and even journos, who supported the comeback but were forced the opposite direction last year. For me it all came down to the Tekegraaf / Het Nieuwsblad interview he gave which led me to coin the phrase Wheel Gate.

Contador had told La Gazzetta dello Sport, an Italian sports publication, that he had to buy hos own TT wheels for the Tour de France. He didn't make a big deal out of it. Armstrong responded by totally trashing Alberto's life, calling him a liar, accusing the Spanish press of lying, and calling them vulgar names. He talked total nonsense about how if he would have been in Contador's position, he would have saved the Astana riders which he and Bruyneel stole.

Then he invented a rivalry that consisted of him insulting Contador while Alberto didn't even pay attention to what he was saying, much less respond. And now, after months of getting the press, and even Pat McQuaid to promote the rivalry, he's found excuses to avoid actually racing Contador.

At Circuit de Sarthe, the team announced in a statement that he was pulling out of the classics so he could do Pinewood Derby with his son, even though that was over way before the last two Ardennes Classics. Then some of his teammates from the Saturday before had stomach problems, so after a surprise doping control, he got them too, and decided that would be the reason he pulled out of the races - forget the Pinewood Derby stuff.

So, before the Pinewood Derby, he tried to impress his twitter followers because he flew on his private jet to take the car to a wind tunnel. The PD is a Scout event meant to get fathers and sons to spend time together. To be fair, everyone starts with the same four dollar kit of wheels, axles and a block of wood. Imagine if you were some guy who was good working with wood, and you and your son spent a lot of time working on the car and testing it, and then some millionaire tried to buy a win for his son by going to a wind tunnel with engineers. Armstrong claimed that the car didn't compete because of major technical difficulties (wheels, axles, block of wood), but do you think the other parents might have heard about the wind tunnel and complained? Would you think it was fair if a rich politician, or a movie actor, or some Wall Street mogul had tried it? And would you be surprised if they bragged about it to 2.5 million people, including the press?

None of what I just wrote was hatred. If you think it was, try reading it again. I was a loyal fan who blogged about him to save time for other loyal fans, and to make sure they didn't miss anything. He turned me with his actions. And I don't believe he was clean at the 2009 Tour de France.

I'll be glad when he's retired from cycling and I never have to give him another thought, but he's got some karma to deal with before he's done racing.

Well I guess i am just one of those people that doesn't get offended from armstrong making a buck off his renown. I also am not offended by his arrogance and sometimes asinine behavior. If I won 1 much less 7 TdFs I probably might get a bit arrogant. Yes i would prefer if he wasn't but he isn't my friend so it doesn't really affect me.

As far as everyone whining about the continuous singular focus of the media on armstrong and the armstrong vs contador, well if it makes you mad or offends you then you should go and cry to the media not to armstrong. Armstrong is great at manipulating and monopolizing the media. Frankly there is nothing wrong with that and it is the smartest thing he can do if he wants to keep raking in the dollars. In america, we call it capitalism and it is encouraged. But lets be honest here, without armstrong the TdF and cycling coverage in general would be lessened in the united states. So I will happily take Armstrong heavy coverage vs no coverage. And if you are honest with yourself you will see that the media is exploiting armstrong just as much as he exploits them.

As far as the poor contador the victim argument goes, tough $h!t. Yes he handled the media rivalry in a more mature way than Armstrong. Yes his using his legs to do all the talking appeals to me. Personally, I was opposed to lance joining astana last year because I would have rather seen him ride against contador and avoid the obvious media circus that followed. But lets not act like Armstrong is the devil, this kind of bs drama happens regularly in the sports world.

In terms of Wheel Gate, don't blame Armstrong because Contador doesn't protect himself and handle his business properly. Handling Contador's equipment, finances and his contracts aren't lances job. As much as I think contador is a magnificent rider, he obviously needs to improve how he handles the business side. In all major sports the business side matters, it is unfortunate, but there is no way around it, especially if you are at the top of your sport. If contador was smarter about the business side this stuff would never happend, but more importantly he might be getting more attention and of course not be on a team where he is constantly butting heads with other leaders. Maybe astana will dedicate itself to him this year, I sure hope so. But I have a hard time believing Vino has all of the sudden become a selfless rider. Maybe his giro bid will mellow his need to ride for himself by tour time, we will see.

One final comment in respect to the entitlement and all that, Armstrong took 3rd place last year. Maybe it was on the back of his very strong team and at the expense of contador emotionally, but in the end, he still took 3rd place. People seem to forget that. In my mind the former 7 time TdF champion taking 3rd place after a layoff should be entitled to monopolize the media, he earned it. From the media's standpoint it is gold, certainly a bigger and more colorful story than contador smoothly taking the overall win.

As far as the pinewood derby goes, are you kidding me? You people are obsessed. Who effin cares? I am sure if contador or some other rider put his whole life online you could find lots of aspects to micro-analyze and horrible faults. But really, you people are going to analyze every little aspect of the guy? Although, now that I think it about it, I guess it is your right because all you people are perfect humans.

 

[peloton]

Well I guess i am just one of those people that doesn't get offended from armstrong making a buck off his renown. I also am not offended by his arrogance and sometimes asinine behavior. If I won 1 much less 7 TdFs I probably might get a bit arrogant. Yes i would prefer if he wasn't but he isn't my friend so it doesn't really affect me.

As far as everyone whining about the continuous singular focus of the media on armstrong and the armstrong vs contador, well if it makes you mad or offends you then you should go and cry to the media not to armstrong. Armstrong is great at manipulating and monopolizing the media. Frankly there is nothing wrong with that and it is the smartest thing he can do if he wants to keep raking in the dollars. In america, we call it capitalism and it is encouraged. But lets be honest here, without armstrong the TdF and cycling coverage in general would be lessened in the united states. So I will happily take Armstrong heavy coverage vs no coverage. And if you are honest with yourself you will see that the media is exploiting armstrong just as much as he exploits them.

As far as the poor contador the victim argument goes, tough $h!t. Yes he handled the media rivalry in a more mature way than Armstrong. Yes his using his legs to do all the talking appeals to me. Personally, I was opposed to lance joining astana last year because I would have rather seen him ride against contador and avoid the obvious media circus that followed. But lets not act like Armstrong is the devil, this kind of bs drama happens regularly in the sports world.

In terms of Wheel Gate, don't blame Armstrong because Contador doesn't protect himself and handle his business properly. Handling Contador's equipment, finances and his contracts aren't lances job. As much as I think contador is a magnificent rider, he obviously needs to improve how he handles the business side. In all major sports the business side matters, it is unfortunate, but there is no way around it, especially if you are at the top of your sport. If contador was smarter about the business side this stuff would never happend, but more importantly he might be getting more attention and of course not be on a team where he is constantly butting heads with other leaders. Maybe astana will dedicate itself to him this year, I sure hope so. But I have a hard time believing Vino has all of the sudden become a selfless rider. Maybe his giro bid will mellow his need to ride for himself by tour time, we will see.

One final comment in respect to the entitlement and all that, Armstrong took 3rd place last year. Maybe it was on the back of his very strong team and at the expense of contador emotionally, but in the end, he still took 3rd place. People seem to forget that. In my mind the former 7 time TdF champion taking 3rd place after a layoff should be entitled to monopolize the media, he earned it. From the media's standpoint it is gold, certainly a bigger and more colorful story than contador smoothly taking the overall win.

As far as the pinewood derby goes, are you kidding me? You people are obsessed. Who effin cares? I am sure if contador or some other rider put his whole life online you could find lots of aspects to micro-analyze and horrible faults. But really, you people are going to analyze every little aspect of the guy? Although, now that I think it about it, I guess it is your right because all you people are perfect humans.

clueless

will you follow the sport when Lance is gone for good?
For some reason I really doubt it...

 

[Oldman]

I was a big fan of Armstrong until this time last year. None of what I just wrote was hatred. If you think it was, try reading it again. I was a loyal fan who blogged about him to save time for other loyal fans, and to make sure they didn't miss anything. He turned me with his actions. And I don't believe he was clean at the 2009 Tour de France.

I'll be glad when he's retired from cycling and I never have to give him another thought, but he's got some karma to deal with before he's done racing.

Hope you don't mind my editting out a bunch...thanks for bringing us all back to current topic. I agree and that is based on what you said and what's known about this guy since he started racing. For LA there has never, ever been any agenda but his.[/I] It doesn't involve philanthropy without substantial payback and history bears this out.

 

[SpartacusRox]

clueless

will you follow the sport when Lance is gone for good?
For some reason I really doubt it...

Actually it was a good, well considered post and at the end of the day his opinion. You are the clueless one peloton because you arrogantly assume that those who do not hold to your particular slant on an issue or person need to be dissed.

Nothing in his post gave any indication that he would cease following the sport when LA is gone. Once again you set yourself up as the hardcore cycling fan while snidly suggesting that someone who doesn't hold to your views can't be.

 

[VeloCity]

Well I guess i am just one of those people that doesn't get offended from armstrong making a buck off his renown. I also am not offended by his arrogance and sometimes asinine behavior. If I won 1 much less 7 TdFs I probably might get a bit arrogant. Yes i would prefer if he wasn't but he isn't my friend so it doesn't really affect me.

As far as everyone whining about the continuous singular focus of the media on armstrong and the armstrong vs contador, well if it makes you mad or offends you then you should go and cry to the media not to armstrong. Armstrong is great at manipulating and monopolizing the media. Frankly there is nothing wrong with that and it is the smartest thing he can do if he wants to keep raking in the dollars. In america, we call it capitalism and it is encouraged. But lets be honest here, without armstrong the TdF and cycling coverage in general would be lessened in the united states. So I will happily take Armstrong heavy coverage vs no coverage. And if you are honest with yourself you will see that the media is exploiting armstrong just as much as he exploits them.

As far as the poor contador the victim argument goes, tough $h!t. Yes he handled the media rivalry in a more mature way than Armstrong. Yes his using his legs to do all the talking appeals to me. Personally, I was opposed to lance joining astana last year because I would have rather seen him ride against contador and avoid the obvious media circus that followed. But lets not act like Armstrong is the devil, this kind of bs drama happens regularly in the sports world.

In terms of Wheel Gate, don't blame Armstrong because Contador doesn't protect himself and handle his business properly. Handling Contador's equipment, finances and his contracts aren't lances job. As much as I think contador is a magnificent rider, he obviously needs to improve how he handles the business side. In all major sports the business side matters, it is unfortunate, but there is no way around it, especially if you are at the top of your sport. If contador was smarter about the business side this stuff would never happend, but more importantly he might be getting more attention and of course not be on a team where he is constantly butting heads with other leaders. Maybe astana will dedicate itself to him this year, I sure hope so. But I have a hard time believing Vino has all of the sudden become a selfless rider. Maybe his giro bid will mellow his need to ride for himself by tour time, we will see.

One final comment in respect to the entitlement and all that, Armstrong took 3rd place last year. Maybe it was on the back of his very strong team and at the expense of contador emotionally, but in the end, he still took 3rd place. People seem to forget that. In my mind the former 7 time TdF champion taking 3rd place after a layoff should be entitled to monopolize the media, he earned it. From the media's standpoint it is gold, certainly a bigger and more colorful story than contador smoothly taking the overall win.

As far as the pinewood derby goes, are you kidding me? You people are obsessed. Who effin cares? I am sure if contador or some other rider put his whole life online you could find lots of aspects to micro-analyze and horrible faults. But really, you people are going to analyze every little aspect of the guy? Although, now that I think it about it, I guess it is your right because all you people are perfect humans.

I was an Armstrong fan until I realized he was doping, which came as a complete shock, because I can't think of anything more cynical, hypocritical, fake, arrogant, and selfish than a cancer survivor doping to the gills with products for which the long-term health effects are unknown just to win a bike race, and who then then tries to portray himself as a "miracle" and holds himself up as an example to cancer sufferers.

Which is to say that he's a fraud through and through, and why anyone would defend a fraud is beyond me.

 

[SpartacusRox]

Hope you don't mind my editting out a bunch...thanks for bringing us all back to current topic. I agree and that is based on what you said and what's known about this guy since he started racing. For LA there has never, ever been any agenda but his.[/I] It doesn't involve philanthropy without substantial payback and history bears this out.

here ever any agenda for any top sporstperson other than theirs? I don't think so at the end of the day. AC is totally focussed on his own agenda too and good on him, no different from Tiger, Nadal etc etc. Merckx was totally focussed on his own agenda.

Philanthropy without payback...well first you have to have the philanthropy and that in itself is rare. If there is payback of some sort does that invalidate the fact that substantial sums of money have been raised and given out to a charitable cause. I would suggest not.

 

[Oldman]

here ever any agenda for any top sporstperson other than theirs? I don't think so at the end of the day. AC is totally focussed on his own agenda too and good on him, no different from Tiger, Nadal etc etc. Merckx was totally focussed on his own agenda.

Philanthropy without payback...well first you have to have the philanthropy and that in itself is rare. If there is payback of some sort does that invalidate the fact that substantial sums of money have been raised and given out to a charitable cause. I would suggest not.[/QUOTE]

My problem is the disparity between the two. He only pays back what gives him power. That isn't philanthropy; it's politics.

 

[dolophonic]

Who is this offbyone ? pure genius.
This kind of talent should be put to work at comedy central !

 

[Oldman]

Who is this offbyone ? pure genius.
This kind of talent should be put to work at comedy central !

He'll figure out that LA wants his money and his love, in that order. No, you don't get any of either back; not even a reach-around.

 

[progressor]

Thread deteriorating to total sh!!e again. Why don't some of you guys goand read his twitter or something for some new material.

Swordsman - it ain't healthy to wrap up you're personal issues with these media driven perception of people you do not know. Contador Fanboyism is no healthier than Armstrong fanboyism.

 

[progressor]

I was an Armstrong fan until I realized he was doping, which came as a complete shock, because I can't think of anything more cynical, hypocritical, fake, arrogant, and selfish than a cancer survivor doping to the gills with products for which the long-term health effects are unknown just to win a bike race, and who then then tries to portray himself as a "miracle" and holds himself up as an example to cancer sufferers.

Which is to say that he's a fraud through and through, and why anyone would defend a fraud is beyond me.

Brace yourself dude, theres a few more shocks coming from the world of Procycling and pro sport if that's news

 

[flicker]

I like Lance. Simple he is a winner. What the dislikers say may be true. I respect the Lance dislikers opinions too. No time for hate here!

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Well I guess i am just one of those people that doesn't get offended from armstrong making a buck off his renown. I also am not offended by his arrogance and sometimes asinine behavior. If I won 1 much less 7 TdFs I probably might get a bit arrogant. Yes i would prefer if he wasn't but he isn't my friend so it doesn't really affect me.

As far as everyone whining about the continuous singular focus of the media on armstrong and the armstrong vs contador, well if it makes you mad or offends you then you should go and cry to the media not to armstrong. Armstrong is great at manipulating and monopolizing the media. Frankly there is nothing wrong with that and it is the smartest thing he can do if he wants to keep raking in the dollars. In america, we call it capitalism and it is encouraged. But lets be honest here, without armstrong the TdF and cycling coverage in general would be lessened in the united states. So I will happily take Armstrong heavy coverage vs no coverage. And if you are honest with yourself you will see that the media is exploiting armstrong just as much as he exploits them.

As far as the poor contador the victim argument goes, tough $h!t. Yes he handled the media rivalry in a more mature way than Armstrong. Yes his using his legs to do all the talking appeals to me. Personally, I was opposed to lance joining astana last year because I would have rather seen him ride against contador and avoid the obvious media circus that followed. But lets not act like Armstrong is the devil, this kind of bs drama happens regularly in the sports world.

In terms of Wheel Gate, don't blame Armstrong because Contador doesn't protect himself and handle his business properly. Handling Contador's equipment, finances and his contracts aren't lances job. As much as I think contador is a magnificent rider, he obviously needs to improve how he handles the business side. In all major sports the business side matters, it is unfortunate, but there is no way around it, especially if you are at the top of your sport. If contador was smarter about the business side this stuff would never happend, but more importantly he might be getting more attention and of course not be on a team where he is constantly butting heads with other leaders. Maybe astana will dedicate itself to him this year, I sure hope so. But I have a hard time believing Vino has all of the sudden become a selfless rider. Maybe his giro bid will mellow his need to ride for himself by tour time, we will see.

One final comment in respect to the entitlement and all that, Armstrong took 3rd place last year. Maybe it was on the back of his very strong team and at the expense of contador emotionally, but in the end, he still took 3rd place. People seem to forget that. In my mind the former 7 time TdF champion taking 3rd place after a layoff should be entitled to monopolize the media, he earned it. From the media's standpoint it is gold, certainly a bigger and more colorful story than contador smoothly taking the overall win.

As far as the pinewood derby goes, are you kidding me? You people are obsessed. Who effin cares? I am sure if contador or some other rider put his whole life online you could find lots of aspects to micro-analyze and horrible faults. But really, you people are going to analyze every little aspect of the guy? Although, now that I think it about it, I guess it is your right because all you people are perfect humans.

I have no problem with Lance making money from his achievements - as plenty of others (media, sponsors) are doing the same. He can promote all the beer, cars, sunglasses, etc that he wants.

However - I do object when it is said that a hospital has "benefited pretty well from his comeback" when in fact there is no benefit to the hospital and he is being paid to be there as a political PR stunt.

 

[Laszlo]

I think too many folk are getting bent out of shape; he ain't Saint Lance, he's Lance Armstrong, cyclist. He's no genius- listen to him talk when someone asks him a question thats off the talking point; did he even graduate high school ? I don't understand why people go on analyzing his tweets and such. Another thing, he has lived in another world since his teens- so it should not be surprising that his behaivour will appear irregular. To expect a humble benign champion is ignoring the ego that was invoked and stroked for the 92 olympics onwards.

 

[Oldman]

I think too many folk are getting bent out of shape; he ain't Saint Lance, he's Lance Armstrong, cyclist. He's no genius- listen to him talk when someone asks him a question thats off the talking point; did he even graduate high school ? I don't understand why people go on analyzing his tweets and such. Another thing, he has lived in another world since his teens- so it should not be surprising that his behaivour will appear irregular. To expect a humble benign champion is ignoring the ego that was invoked and stroked for the 92 olympics onwards.

Your right, I'm just pis*sed off. A friend, who I thought was intelligent hit me up for some Livestrong charity contribution after he found out my Dad had lung cancer. It aggravated me.

 

[buckwheat]

The philanthropy is just a cynical strategy to keep him out of Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds territory.

 

[Laszlo]

The philanthropy is just a cynical strategy to keep him out of Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds territory.

No, it is what it is. He almost died, and was gravely ill in the prime of life, right on the doorstep to a reasonably comfortable lifestyle; there is no way you can come back from all that without being humbled by the disease. Obamas own experience watching his mom struggle led him to champion universal heathcare to the oval office. Some people do have these epithanies- as far as cycnicism goes, you have to realize even mean sobs are still people and have real emotions and even altruistic goals. I've read some positive experiences from cancer patients using the livestrong support lines and if I was alone facing cancer I would be glad to have some help dealing with the emotional gravity of it- you can't take that away from those who needed that help just because you don't like guy or think he cheated his way in some bike races.

Keep it in perspective; help for countless people dealing with the disease vs. a guy who maybe ( or did, if you insist) cheated on a few bike races. This is not to justify cheating, but to say you shouldn't condemn such help because you are selfishly outraged by a violation of moral confines in a public marketing exercise

 

[Nick777]

No, it is what it is. He almost died, and was gravely ill in the prime of life, right on the doorstep to a reasonably comfortable lifestyle; there is no way you can come back from all that without being humbled by the disease.

Not sure I would describe him as humble.

 

[progressor]

Not sure I would describe him as humble.

I doubt humble is quite the right word - but I suspect he's not quite the a-hole he was previously - as much as some here want him to be the devil incarnate - or at least to judge him on his social performance 15- 20 years ago.

 

[Spare Tyre]

My feelings about Lance changed when I read his book It's not about the bike: my journey back to life, which describes the "journey through triumph, tragedy, transformation, and transcendence" (from Google books Note: HIS book, not an unflattering appraisal written by someone else.). He came across as a narcissistic, completely self-obessessed control freak. I understand that some people can happily separate sporting ability from personal character, but I am not one of them. I prefer the sporting abilities of a person with a character I can also enjoy or admire.

Both Sastre and Contador have acknowledged Armstrong as a great and successful rider but have suggested they do not admire him as a person. Sastre has said words to the effect that "behind every rider there is a person, and as a person maybe he has some things to learn." [at a press conference shown in Cervelo's documentary series].

However, I bought into the mythology and saw him as an unpleasant person who nevertheless had an extraordinary physiology, trained as no-one ever had before, revolutionized cycling etc. I didn't know what to make of the 'cancer awareness' thing as I have no way of assessing its value. In my opinion it seems pretty irrelevant in Australia.

Since then my belief in the mythology crumbled as bit by bit I came across information refuting the claims he makes/made.

I'll be glad when he retires. I don't like the circus he engenders, I don't like the celebrity cult that surrounds him. I won't miss him.