I recorded the Oprah/Lance interview, and watched it. I really only needed to watch the first 60 seconds of it, but it sat in front of me like a train-wreck. I don't think I'll bother watching the 2nd part, but I haven't decided yet. In some sense, this has come to close the book on an era.
Now perhaps we can all move on.
Paraphrased from a friend's FB post, it's not really about the doping, it's about the destruction Armstrong left in his wake.
Next week, it will be someone else. Despite a giant compendium of examples of the consequences, there will remain people delusional enough to think they can get away with certain things.
Professional cycling needs a clean slate.. maybe this does it, maybe not. What this example provides, however, is a modern, extreme lesson for the next generation of heroes. That, of course, can swing in two directions: either the next champions will be smarter, more cunning, and able to definitively 'get away with it' -- or, we will finally witness the renaissance we've been hoping for.
Either way, I'm still a fan of professional cycling - even though I never REALLY paid attention before 1999.
Armstrong absolutely played a part in getting me in the saddle - but, I've grown since then.
I admit I had been foolish to have fallen for it all those years, but, hey - that's me: trusting, naive, a romantic.
I love a good story, and I fell for it - but, I'm not going to change who I am because of it.
Neither should any of you.
I feel the subject has taken up enough space here.
Let's go ride.
1 comment:
No need to feel foolish or naive. Lance has proven he is a master magician on the order of David Copperfield, skillfully distracting us so that we see only what he wanted us all to see.
The difference, of course, is that at the end of the day, David Copperfield admits he is a magician, providing great illusions. Lance led us to believe that the illusion was indeed the reality.
Now... we ride on.
Post a Comment