If I read another status update about how Lance Armstrong is a shameful a–hole or another news article articulating so specifically how Mr Armstrong achieved this monumental deception of mankind, I’ll have another rum.
The point is though, I’m sick of it and I’m sure you are too.
Lance Armstrong was a victim of our society and our culture.
He was a victim of our culture in that, like every other sportsperson that has felt the pressure of ‘success’ and victory from a very young age, a weight from family and friends and the public bearing down on his shoulders.
He caved in early.
I’m going to repeat myself here, Lance Armstrong is a victim. He is a victim of a society that immorally valued success.
He is a victim of a greedy, consumerist society that promotes us all to strive for an extra $10k (in his case $10m) annually, to upgrade our car or wardrobe.
For all you people out there that didn’t see what happened coming, you are the ignoramus. You are foolish and you have been living in a state of unconsciousness.
If you ask me ‘why?’, I ask you this.
If all of Lance’s close competitors tested positive in drug testing, how possibly could Lance Armstrong have been clean? You honestly believe that he was not just better than them all, but much better, even though he was disadvantaged?
So he was clean but smashed all the drug takers?
You have been absorbed in mainstream newspapers, you generally accept what society tells you, you don’t question what is too difficult to hear the answer.
Honestly you believed that he could beat Jan Ullrich and Iban Mayo and Marco Pantani? You thought an innocent clean Texan man could annihilate ‘The Man Of 52 Percent Hematocrit’ Marco Pantani?
Is our society as stupid as it has ever been? Please god almighty, give me strength!
Yet Marco Pantani is our hero and a legend, but Lance Armstrong is a disgrace?
Marco too was a victim, but he suffered much more than Lance and the other ‘legends’.
Pantani knew there was more to life than ‘winning’ and being profusely rich. He searched for what he wanted in the wrong direction though, and it got the better out of him.
Eddy Merckx is the greatest cyclist of all time and he has admitted to taking drugs, he also tested positive. He is a hero though. A legend. The best. Such a nice and humble guy. I wish I could take him home to my parents.
Lance Armstrong was infected by a cancer that was embedded in the fabric of sport well before he entered the game.
He saw that everybody was doing something and decided to make it an even playing field.
I’m not saying this is morally correct, nor that it’s okay that he lied to us for so long, but it’s the public persecution, the vindication, the mindset and disgust that the world at large have for a man that should be considered no worse than any other drugged up sportsperson, convict, or hoon that crashed and killed a pedestrian.
All of these people are directly infected by a rotten and diseased society that considers success as the person crossed the line first, who crushed another man to make a dollar, greed, and nothing else.
I know there are people that would rather be a poor nobody than a loaded drug cheat.
We are the ones who cheered him on. We gave him props for beating other drug cheats and you never thought it was odd. He lied to us yes, but our society and our culture made him do it.
Society has a bent and twisted view on what success is. Success isn’t about being compassionate and generous and selfless and happy anymore.
We portray success as the pop-star with an ‘gorgeous’ body and face, find a recording deal to create an auto-toned pop song, infused with offensive mind-numbing lyrics, and produced by a team if people that know how to make all of us idiots tick.
What is success if it isn’t compassion or generosity?
Success isn’t about money, greed, or crushing our competitor, but we seem to think it is.
Susan
Guest
What utter rubbish.. Mr. Armstrong is a very calculating and self centered individual. He bullied, threatened and sued people who were telling the truth. He wrote books about himself that we now all know are full of lies. Especially the part where he talks about his son Luke....and that he would never dope. Go to the U.S.A.D.A. website and take a look at the drugs he used and the phrase "trafficking and adminster to others" . Serious stuff and he now has to answer to it all. He lied for years about taking drugs and all the while he was accumulating a fortune. He has seriously harmed the sport of cycling. He does not deserve the title hero. What role model is he now for our Youth? He needs to appear before the U.S.A.D.A. and tell the entire truth. He needs to pay back the fortune he accumulated under false pretences. He needs to be banned for life from all sports. He needs to stay completely away from Livestrong and hopefully they will change the colour of their foundation to another colour. Everytime I see that colour yellow, I am filled with disgust . They have to make a clean break...they really do. History will not be kind to Lance Armstrong and the only one to blame is himself.
Morduin00
Guest
After watching this whole thing unfold for a while and attempting to gather my thoughts and feelings on the matter, I have to agree that Adam makes a salient point regarding the societal pressures placed on our "idols" to succeed. However, mix those societal pressures with the "type A" personality, that Lance Armstrong clearly has, and you can get a recipe for disaster. There are stories out there from credible sources that state that LA and his teammates (pre-LeTour) were introduced to doping early on in their careers, while still racing in the USA. To state that the European theater was the start of his "cheating" is disingenuous. The fact of the matter is that during that era, doping was rampant, the governing bodies were more than likely involved, and the omerta was upheld by all (unless they failed a drug test). No one was willing to name names until after they themselves got caught. I do not know of one cyclist who came clean just because it was the right thing to do. Either they were on the verge of getting caught or had been caught. In today's society we are more than willing to blame others for our faults. But let's keep in mind that all of the dopers were adults and they made their choices. They also chose to keep silent. If Lance Armstrong was just a bully, and not a doper, would you have turned the other cheek to his bullying? If Lance Armstrong was a doper and not a bully, would you give him the forgiveness you gave to other dopers? Lance Armstrong strikes me as one, for right or for wrong, consumed with success and glory. Consumed to the point that he had to be the best in all aspects of "the sport". That includes riding, doping, keeping the "omerta", and going after those who didn't toe the line. For those of you that liked or loved Lance Armstrong, this is a tough pill to swallow. For those of you that hate and revile him, nothing has changed... except you like to flaunt "how right you were about him". A tad hypocritical for those who are complaining about bullying.
sittingbison
Guest
Armstrong isn't copping the blame for anyone. Team Lance is carefully orchestrating every utterance, avoiding every question, with one goal in mid - keep him out of jail and more importantly firewall the qui tam case. He is NOT exposing himself to Statute Of Limitation (SOL), where fraud and RICO charges can apply. There is not the slightest shred of nobility in this, he is not taking the heat to protect others. And make no mistake, those others are well and truly known and discussed at length elsewhere - Weisel, Johnson, Stapleton, McIlvain, Hein, Hog, Amgen, Nike, Oakley - they are all culpable. He is protecting his freedom and fortune. He will throw them all under the bus at first opportunity to get a deal for himself. As to this article, I have voiced my concerns to the editors. I have serious reservations about its place on the Roar.
Tom
Guest
Read this article and check the date of it, Sarah - http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/22/sports/cycling-armstrong-is-engulfed-by-a-frenzy-over-salve.html. The 1999 positive was reported at the time, so your claim that Armstrong's drug use was 'only a rumour' is both false, and irrelevant, considering it was shown to be absolutely true over time. As for LeMond, he rode in the pre - EPO era - sure, doping helped, but not to anywhere near the same extent that EPO would have. He well could have doped, but it is irrelevant, and in no way justifies Armstrong's treatment of him - see http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/lemond-armstrong-has-been-trying-to-destroy-me-for-10-years. You basically address the crux of your own argument in your last sentence - it isn't the doping per se that Armstrong is despised for, more the methodical and brutal way in which he attempted to destroy anyone who dared cross him - and let's keep in mind, all those who spoke out against him were 100% correct. Nothing in the behaviour of anyone - be it Landis, Tyler Hamilton, Betsy Andreu, Christophe Bassons, or especially Emma O'Reilly or Greg LeMond (the two who have basically done nothing wrong in this whole sorry saga) justifies Armstrong's actions - and hence, he deserves to be seen as a pariah. And good work on bringing up the rape straw man - I don't see anyone here supporting any of those athletes you mention.
langou
Roar Guru
Having read the article again and the reply to the article I don't think this even belongs on a sports site. The article is a gripe against society and in particular a gripe against capitalism and consumerism. It really has nothing to do with Lance Armstrong and I think The Roar needs to be careful in publishing articles that use sport to push a political agenda.
Curly Jefferson
Guest
Spot on Sarah, I agree with your comments 100%. HYPOCRICY! We are drowning in it in the UK! Brad wiggins at the 2012 tour receiving a special gift of a red neck scarf or what ever it was from his hero Big Mig (Indurain)! He was all over it, proud, humbled etc. But is spouting off in the british press calling Lance a selection of his trade mark swear words, yes his opinion but he shows no class. Dont brand me a fan boy, they are all as bad as each other! Read Christophe Bassons view in "the 7 deadly sins", page 398. "The spotlight now should not be on Lance but on a sport that is still gangrenous with doping and deceit. The 2012 tour did not reasure me".
David Huntsman
Guest
Keep in mind Armstrong is "copping the blame for what should really be shouldered by many more riders, directeurs and officials" because he has, so far, refused to testify against them.
David Huntsman
Guest
Federal agents? I'm not sure you understand what happened here. The federal agents put their investigation down. Tygart is USADA. I think the grey area is your lack of understanding of the big picture: the whole of the contractual violations and actionable offenses (civil and criminal) of Armstrong. Your point of view is myopic. You are also turning the fact that Armstrong did so much bad stuff, and therefore has attracted an unprecedented level of shame and disgrace, into an untrue statement about those who - rightfully - revile him. Just because he harmed a lot of people, it doesn't mean they lost their morals and let him do it.
David Huntsman
Guest
Of course Tygart reflects Lance. That's how it works. The machine rises to meet its challenge. The drama was on LA's side of the battlefield.
Curly Jefferson
Guest
Boba, it is the worlds view of Lance that we (you) are all commenting on. I think you contradict yourself! There is a lot of talk of bullying and I think we all have to be carefull not to come across that way when expressing our personal oppinions. I know I'm going to get stick as my comments are not in favour of the majority. Its a sports website, yes! I've been in love with the Le Tour for 28 years (warts & all). I dont have a yellow wrist band to chuck out or any Lance posters to rip up. Is it just me that senses a Machiavellian streak in Tygart thats almost on par with Lance?
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Hard to read this article after watching tonight's Four Corners. What do these ppl, the 'armstronged ppl', need to see the light? Nothing am afraid. Mr Phil Anderson: not your best interview.
Kate
Guest
Lance Armstrong was not a VICTIM OF SOCIETY! he was and still is a CHEAT! To all his cycling colleagues,his family, himself! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download it now [http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/the-roar/id327174726?mt=8].
Sean Lee
Expert
Whatever happened to being responsible for your own actions? It is far too easy to lay blame elsewhere.
Sean Lee
Expert
Ranting maniac
Guest
the people i think who are just as bad as armstrong himself are that small minority who supported him—some of them attacking his growing number of doubters, conspiracy theorists etc.—right until October 23 last year. that part's fine. the bad bit is that those sour faced d'heads go on calling him all sorts of the stuff: "a--hole...sociopath...should get life in prison for the lifetime of damage he's done...it's good they're not afraid of using the death penalty in texas" i have little respect for armstrong, but even less for the sheer hypocrisy of his once loyal worshippers, some of whose bull is written in the comment section this page. there's nothing wrong with hating armstrong, but please, dont try and sink to his level.
Boba
Guest
Sarah, you may not care about the corrupting influence of Lance Armstrong, his attempts to pervert the course of justice (witness intimidation), the perjury he engaged in, the fraud he perpetrated and the drug trafficking he orchestrated, but there are many in our society that still take a dim view of such behaviour. Maybe if you cared less about the world's view of Lance Armstrong and more about taking active steps to fight poverty, disease, child abuse, rape and murder we might be living in a nicer world.
Adam Semple
Expert
Excellent responses. Please note a couple of things: For anyone who mentioned Greg Lemond as a culprit here; he is a poisonous egoist trying to take the reins of 'Unabated Hero' in the eyes of the American public. His company may have suffered because of Trek, but corporatocracy isn't an avenue we should take in this discussion. Even though it's a potent symptom of our consumerist society, it's not our topic. The financial battle between Armstrong and Lemond isn't important, as essentially they're both victims of culture fighting for a dollar. No other ex-druggie has had to fight these allegations of 'bullying, lies, bribery' before, because they haven't been pressed by federal agents with the whole world watching. Do you think the CEO's of BHP and RIO TINTO, or the top minister's of our government have never acted in a manner they oppresses others freedom? They do it behind closed doors and are remaining 'hero's of wealth.' Yes Lance 'bullied' people… Not into taking drugs though? They were making huge dollars themselves. O'Reilly and co. suffered, yes, but the nature of Economics in our society lends this type of behaviour to leaders under pressure. I am not saying what Armstrong did was okay, it obviously wasn't. This article was directed though, at the cause of Armstrong's ethical demise. Those bystanders suffered badly yes, so don't get me wrong; I agree that everything Armstrong did was scandalous and morally disgusting, he is scum and he allowed himself to lie to and deceive the world, and destroy people's lives. This we do not forgive him for, but the point of this article is determining how a human gets to that stage. Where do we and when did we loose our morals? For those of you that mentioned how Armstrong is a bully. Yes, he bullied people. So does any boss in any business lacking morality as it's top agenda? Armstrong just had a platform to do it on so we could all watch. I know many people that have said 'no' to drugs in the '90s Euro cycling scene and were sent home for it. These people are the aforementioned that chose morality over dollars. These people are the true hero's, the point is though that they hadn't of missed out on anything if our society hadn't dictated that dollars and 'fame' were what we humans strive for in life. That is my idea here. It is a question of "What is success?" For those who conferred selfishness, greed, lies, and deceit (among others) as Armstrong's imperfections, I implore we further entertain the idea that these qualities are derived from a society with skew ethical boundaries. We should further question what allowed somebody to become so poisonous and immoral. Please also try and not forget that Armstrong doped in an era where it appears obvious that nearly everybody was doping. You cannot compare it to today, because today the standing on drugs in elite cycling is one of offensive disgust. Back then this was not the case and most of those who were winning were testing positive at some stage or another. I understand this is a grey area of debate, but that is the debate most important to have. Remember I am not saying that Lance is a great person, he isn't, and I stated that above declaring what he did isn't simply forgivable. The point is to consider that this type of lying and 'bullying' happens all around the world everyday in situations balancing on millions of dollars and a fancy title. Our society misjudges success, which eventually leads to rotten moral agenda's.
The Duffster
Roar Rookie
More Lance on Four Cournes tonight on ABC for those that haven't seen the ad. http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/stories/2013/01/31/3680186.htm
Lee Rodgers
Expert
Google 'Greg Strock' to see his allegations against Chris Carmichael way back in 1990. It was around even then. To think LA is telling the truth when he says he wasn't doping before his first Tour, well, his track record on 'the truth' has not been doing too good of late. Zero-tolerance as you define it is too harsh. A guy *could* eat tainted meat, it happens in China, or could be given a tainted bottle. I think a 4 year ban, followed by a further 2 years out of all pro level cycling (Continental up) and a significant fine (maybe 2 years salary) as well as a 6 month suspended jail term would suffice - then lifetime and jail time if it happens again. The fines should extend to the team management too, so they bear responsibility. All teams should have testing programs overseen by an outside authority and made completely transparent year round. Doping has to be made a criminal offense, like embezzlement, as these guys are taking sponsor $, supporter $, and denying others a chance.
Jono Lovelock
Expert
You have nailed it. Everyone is arguing from different standpoints. I like your standpoint.