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> baseline requirement for competing at the top levels of cycling. I agree, and for cheating in a sport Mr. Armstrong should be stripped of those awards given
by ajcp 3y ago
> baseline requirement for competing at the top levels of cycling.
I agree, and for cheating in a sport Mr. Armstrong should be stripped of those awards given for such feats and no other judgement outside of that need be applied. However, Mr. Armstrong did not simply cheat; he actively and openly sought to destroy the lives and reputations of those who said otherwise. THAT was not a baseline requirement for competing at the top levels. For those actions outside of cycling he should be stripped of the celebrity and accolades he was given outside of cycling as well.
- Swizec 3y agoFair. I was not aware of all those other things. I guess he gets to keep the celebrity because he was the most successful American cyclist. America number one and all that :) (I’m not a american so I find that attitude silly but very noticeable)
- discreteevent 3y agoI don't think it has much to do with being American. Cycling worships the greats no matter where they are from (take Pantani for example). It's an extremely tough sport with people who historically came from tough backgrounds. When a cyclist gets badly injured and you see them cycling on - it's because they have no other choice. They will lose their livelihood if they don't. None of this excuses drugs but it might explain why people identify with and often admire them no matter what country they come from.
- mcv 3y agoThere have been other great American cyclists that haven't been caught with doping. Like Greg LeMond: fantastic tour winner, a major critic of doping in cycling, and one of the first to express doubts about the legitimacy of Armstrong's victory. That is the great American cyclist people should be admiring.
- jimt1234 3y agoAgreed. And still, LeMond was yet another victim of Armstrong. https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/walsh-on-lemond-enduring-the-vengeance-of-armstrong/ https://velo.outsideonline.com/road/walsh-on-lemond-enduring...
- mistrial9 3y agoso he is a "villian" .. and due to his trajectory, a famous "villian" .. is this really new? you suggest a scarlet letter?