Lance

[Woody]

http://www.opposingviews.com/i/sports/ot...-armstrong-case

[Jeannieb43]

Lance Armstrong is an exceptionally appealing person. I always thought he was a good person also. But last weekend I discussed this case with my 47-year-old son who is almost a professional [well, not really] bicyclist. He owns three racing bikes and he rides 100-mile bike trips frequently, along with several men in his town. He really keeps up with the news about Lance Armstrong.

I said to my son, "Lance is a good guy." He said, "No, he's not good. He's very talented, and he works hard, and he's successful, but he probably did take some drugs at some point in his life. He can't be trusted to always tell the truth. Most all the bicycle racers were using drugs at some point."

I don't know where my son got his information, but he doesn't worry about it. He still likes Lance Armstrong, but he doesn't look up to him as a role model, merely looks up to him as a guy who trains hard and rides well.

[Woody]

Whether he might have used some drug at some point in his life or not - does not take away from his accomplishments. He is still an inspiration. (in my book anyways)

[Tom Wetmore]

While there may be some health concerns behind the athletes and performance enhancing drugs issue, the bottom line is that the rules are intended to not allow anyone an unfair advantage, a leveling of the playing field. The irony of this whole sordid mess is that the playing field among the very top of professional cycling that the field is[/u level, built on a foundation of an ever-changing array of artificial performance enhancement science. The testing is unable to keep up with those changes. And it is very probable that the system is corrupt. There is huge money at stake in European cycling and where big money rules, the rules are viewed as an obstacle to be overcome in the pursuit of profit. It is generally assumed that all of the top riders are under huge pressure to win at all costs and that they all game the system of drug testing by finding ways to beat the tests. And that only a few get caught by the testing is indicative of the inadequacy of the efforts to control it.

Given that reality the US Cycling and World Cycling Federations would better spend their resources in fixing the system for the current and active riders rather than going after the retired athletes that were victims of the badly flawed system.

I still admire Lance. But I have no illusions that he is pure. He is still a cycling hero... and a cancer survivor inspiration for us all. His Livestrong Foundation is doing good things in that area.

[Woody]

Well I guess if they are all using them - then it's a pretty level playing field.

[CoAspen]

Just the other day I was talking to someone about 'sports hero's' in general. I believe that any parent that would allow their child to look at a pro athlete as a 'role model' is not dealing in reality. I side with the athlete when they say " I am not a role model", because they are paid often huge amounts of money to just win, not to be perfect or a role model, but just win. That is their job and to seek advantages that are not specifically forbidden. It is a High Dollar world!!! To expect 'role model' behavior is naive.

[Woody]

Well sometimes we just need the message to go forth that - Yes - we CAN DO it. And to have someone go before us is helpful.

[phkrause]

Just the other day I was talking to someone about 'sports hero's' in general. I believe that any parent that would allow their child to look at a pro athlete as a 'role model' is not dealing in reality. I side with the athlete when they say " I am not a role model", because they are paid often huge amounts of money to just win, not to be perfect or a role model, but just win. That is their job and to seek advantages that are not specifically forbidden. It is a High Dollar world!!! To expect 'role model' behavior is naive.

I absolutely agree CoA. I've never used an athlete as a role model or an idol. Have admired a few for there accomplishments, such as Lance Armstrong. Not just there accomplishments but how some have given back to the communities that they have come from, and how some have put there money to good use, like charities, etc. When people have asked me who I look up to or who they should look up to, I tell them, there parents or Jesus or someone that's done good for others.

[olger]

Just the other day I was talking to someone about 'sports hero's' in general. I believe that any parent that would allow their child to look at a pro athlete as a 'role model' is not dealing in reality. I side with the athlete when they say " I am not a role model", because they are paid often huge amounts of money to just win, not to be perfect or a role model, but just win. That is their job and to seek advantages that are not specifically forbidden. It is a High Dollar world!!! To expect 'role model' behavior is naive.

Agreed!