Aussie Media : Get your act together

Photo Courtesy of ninemsn.com 

Once again I watched the news bulletins today, both morning shows and evening news waiting, hoping that they would give Simon Gerrans' yellow jersey and Aussie team Orica-Green Edge's TTT win the coverage it deserves, only to be disappointed...yet again.

I shouldn't be surprised. After all the Tour de France is in July smack bang in the middle of football season. You would think that something as prestigious as the coveted yellow jersey and an Australian-owned cycling team leading the biggest annual sporting event in the world would deserve 30 seconds of coverage headlining at least the sport. But no, it was relegated to last in the bulletin receiving about 20 seconds of dismal footage.

The sad thing is, if one of the cyclists was found guilty of doping there is no doubt that would be top headline news, even leading the entire news.

No wonder there are so many skeptics dismissing our great sport when the only coverage considered newsworthy is negative.

Do you think cycling deserves more coverage on our news?

So it's not just cycling????

I've debated with myself as to whether I should make comment on the recent 'shock' revelations that Australian Football Codes have been linked to systematic doping and the like.

The sad fact is I for one am not surprised. You can't honestly tell me that there is a sport in the world that is untouched by 'cheats' and 'dopers'. The glass half full girl in me likes to believe that these incidences are in the minority, but also as a realist I believe that perhaps it is not as infrequent as we would like.

Bottom line is that whenever there is money and superiority involved there will be those who feel the need and the pressure and be able to justify that it is okay to cheat. Competition in the sporting world is fierce, as is the pressure to perform consistently and successfully.

Basketball, baseball, football, athletics, swimming, cycling - no sport is immune.Up until now though it seems that most sports have been able to sweep things under the carpet. Cycling seems to be the only sport that is constantly in the spotlight, for the wrong reasons.

These revelations in Australia bring a somewhat sickly smile to my face. My first thought was sarcastically 'So it's not just cycling!' my second thought, more seriously was one of bewilderment. The glass half empty girl in me wonders if any sporting success or achievement can be really taken on it's merits, which saddens me for the (hopefully) majority of clean sports men and woman the world over.

It is a complicated issue involving money, greed, selfishness and the longing for success and adoration within ones self. Can the money and greed side of things ever be changed? Can human nature ever change for those who can justify doping to themselves? Complicated questions, with no real answers.

Where will be in ten years from now? Who knows....

The Lance Confession - My View

image from here

So Lance has had a sit down with Oprah (took my advice from here obviously) and really there were no shocking revelations.

He was calm, composed, even a touch arrogant only displaying any remorseful emotion when it came to the affect on his family. Yes, Lance is human.

So what now?

For Lance I don't think much will change. His long time supporters will still remember the remarkable wins, drugs or no drugs. And his enemies will still call him an arrogant, selfish, cheat. In that respect, not much will change.

What may or may not have been surprising was that Lance didn't name names which somewhat humoured me when reading headlines before the release of the interview such as 'Lance will bring them down with him'. I'm in two minds as to whether he should have named names.

Firstly, to name names would expose anyone who is still involved in cycling at the highest levels and force them to be removed, that is a good thing. On the other hand, I don't know if it is really Lance's job to do so. Certainly if asked under oath it is, but Oprah, as high and mighty as she is, isn't quite a court of law. I somehow feel that those involved should feel the guilt as Lance has, and come forward themselves. Just my opinion. But it isn't over, in fact this is just the beginning.

What do I think of Lance now?

I'm saddened it is true. Without a confession there was still hope, but I can't say I was shocked or surprised. We all wanted to believe the fairy tale, to have a hero, someone inspiring and amazing, then to find out your hero is a cheat, is devastating to say the least. Still I do think he is an outstanding athlete mentally and physically, as they say, you can't turn a donkey into a thoroughbred. It is just a shame that now he will never be able to prove it, that chance passed long ago. I still believe his intentions with LiveSTRONG were honourable and the inspiration (although we now know to be false) he gave to many Cancer sufferers can't be denied. The LiveStrong organisation will continue on with its good work and I will continue to support them.

There needs to be change

There is no denying that the introduction of the biological passport and more regimented drug testing has brought the sport along way in the fight against doping. But there still needs to be change. Cycling is one of the toughest sports to compete in. Sure they look very pretty in their colourful lycra pedaling along through beautiful countryside and to a non-cycling fan that may be the picture painted. But the true story is the physical and mental effort it takes to ride a couple of hundred kilometers up a mountain each day virtually for three weeks, is far from easy. For some it is impossible. The dedication, determination and training it takes to reach peak fitness at the correct time and then maintain that level as you verge on physical exhaustion with your immune system teetering over the edge is immense. Each rider is looking for an edge. It is no wonder they sometimes look in the wrong places.

However, there is no excuse for cheating and I think the peloton has learned this and is heading in the right direction. There will always be cheats, that is unfortunately a flaw in human nature, but perhaps if there were some minor changes it would reduce pressure that is placed upon the riders.

One answer that I have always beleived, in particular for The Tour de France is that some of the stages need to be shortened. It is fine to race a one day classic over 250+kms, but to do this day after day for close to three weeks?

Perhaps the answers are not cut and dry, but small changes can be implemented. Pro-cyclists aren't super heroes. We once thought Lance was, it is proven he wasn't. They are simply human beings, as talented as they are, they are still only human.

And so...

And so the air has been cleared, although questions still remain, and many more now arise. The saga will continue and hopefully, the sport can move on. The current riders can learn from their predecessors mistakes and cycling can recover.

As for Lance, yes he is a cheat. Yes he was involved in a sophisticated and well thought out doping program. Yes he was a liar, a bully and had terrible judgement. Like him or hate him though, he isn't a murderer, he was the hunted and now they have their scalp, rightfully so. But he has to live with himself for the rest of his life. He has to look his children in the eyes and regain their trust. He has to live with the labels, however much self-induced and he will be forever known as a cheat.

Personally, I would like to see his life ban from sport lifted. Maybe not from cycling. However I would like to see him compete in some capacity in triathlon giving himself the opportunity to prove he can challenge clean. But that's just me. Even if he won clean, I'm not sure the majority wouldn't doubt him, but at least he could prove to himself. And sometimes that's all that matters in the end.

What are your thoughts on the aftermath of the Lance interview?

Orica-Green Edge moves forward

As the fallout from the Lance Armstrong doping scandal continues to scathe cycling, Australia's pro-cycling team Orica-Green Edge has taken the lead in the fight for a clean future.

Team general manager Shayne Bannan today announced the final dismissal of sports director Matt White after he was implicated and subsequently confessed to doping during his time at US Postal.

The team will now undergo a "a full external expert review of its policies and procedures and a pro-active review of all riders and team members in light of recent disclosures regarding past practices in the sport" .

This can only be a good thing and something that hopefully other pro-cycling teams undertake for the reputation of the sport.

The next decision now is who to replace the disgraced Matt White.

I must say I have never been a fan of White. His arrogance and disrespect of many Australian cyclist in previous years has left me cold, and really he was far from the best talent Australia had to offer during his day. My opinion only of course.

Who would I love to see step up into the role? None other than Robbie McEwen.

The recently retired Australian sprinting legend is perfectly poised to offer his expertise and hands on experience at the elite level of the sport. Robbie is undoubedtly our greatest cyclist, having competed at the top level for over 16 years including 12 stage wins at the Tour de France. To say he is highly regarded in Australian cycling is an understatement. Robbie has the respect of not only Australia but world cycling and would be the one to take Orica-Green Edge to the next level. He is determined, gutsy, fair and would take an absolute approach to the position.

It will be interesting to see not only the outcome of the independent review but to also see who will be appointed Director Sportif. 

Who is your money on?

UCI ratifies USADA's verdict on Lance Armstrong

The decision has been made. Tonight the UCI handed down it's decision not to appeal the USADA's findings on Lance Armstrong to strip him of his seven tour de France titles and impose a life time ban from the sport.

You can read the developing story here.

To say we have had some bad days in the world of cycling recently would be an understatement, but this at least, will go down as one of the better ones. Which may sound funny coming from a former Lance supporter, but he has brought the sport into disrepute with his lies and deception.

So now what?

There has to be a clean out, a total clean out starting at the highest point. Although in his statement tonight UCI presendent Pat McQuaid states: "When I took over [as president] in 2005 I made the fight against doping my priority. I acknowledged cycling had culture of doping. Cycling has come a long way. I have no intention as resigning as president of the UCI." so that isn't looking likely.

Cycling as a sport has long been seen as a farce by many on lookers due to its shady underworld, and it is no doubt that these cynics have been proven right - to an extent. So if there was a long way to go twelve months ago, the sport has just regressed decades.

The fight will be hard and long. There are many points to prove from within cycling at the highest level, down to the management, cyclists and up and coming juniors. The way forward is with support for a clean and respected sport. For the pure enjoyment of this magical sport that so many of us love.

I'm fighting the fight. Will you?

Lance, It's time

This should be titled 'The post I never wanted to write', because it is.

Today there is a sickness in my gut and an anger that I can't explain. To a point where I almost feel ashamed to be a cycling fan.

Yes, I am a Lance Armstrong supporter, a long time supporter of his cycling and of his Livestrong Foundation. I still am. But yes, I'm gutted and yes, I think it's time Lance fessed up.

And although Lance supporters want to keep defending him I think the time has come for him to openly and honestly come clean.

With George Hincape being the lastest to offer a statement admitting to doping including when he was part of U.S. Postal, the evidence is really too much to continue to deny.

As much as Lance has vehemently denied his involvement, it is too far from the truth to believe that he was the only clean member of U.S Postal, or in fact the peloton, during this black period of professional cycling.

As I blogged previously I think deep down we all knew that 90% of the peloton during this time were doping and that of course, Lance was too. But I also think that the way the situation was handled was disgusting, and sadly played out in the media.

Do I still think Lance is a legend? Yes I do.

As wrong as it is, the fact is the cyclists were competing on a level playing field, albeit a dirty and illegal one, but even none-the-less. Was there a cyclist who could have come close to beating Lance? Some will say we will never know. But we do know the answer - No. But everyone is entitled to their opinion.

So what now?

Lance needs to come forward. A tell all documentary is the only way he can save whatever face he has left. If not for himself, for his fans who have long supported him and will continue to do so, and for cycling. Let's get this period done and dusted. Let's move forward for the good of the sport.

It's the only way.

A sad day for cycling

Firstly I apologise for the quality of this post. I have decided to not edit as it is written from the heart. So if it doesn't flow or read coherently please bear that in mind x

Having just logged onto twitter for the day I was greeted with my cycling tweet stream full of Lance Armstrong and it didn't take long to find out why.

I am in shock, and actually close to tears.

This is a very sad day for cycling no matter which way you look at it or which side you believe.

If you are a Lance Armstrong supporter as I unashamedly am, it is sad for three reasons. Firstly that this amazingly talented rider who has done so much for the sport and the community in general has been stripped of his tour wins. No ones the Tour de France on their own.

Secondly, the truth has not come out. It has not been proven if Lance did in fact dope, it is still and forever will be one mans word against another.

Thirdly, the fact that Lance is giving up the fight must indeed plant some seed of doubt in the minds of his supporters and those on the fence. These claims he so vehemently denied lay uncontested and forever in question.

If you are a cycling supporter and against doping, which no doubt we all are, and even though you may feel vindicated that 'where there is smoke there is fire' you should now wipe that smirk off your face. This does nothing for the good of the sport. It only drags up all the rotten, soiled stain from yesteryear that has surrounded cycling for so long. When we thought the image and profile of cycling was on the improve we are again back at square one fighting for the ethics and existence of this great sport.

Every sport has it's cheats, everywhere in life there are cheats. Were there many clean cyclists in the 80's/90's, probably not, does it make it okay? Of course not. But do we now go after every cycling who ever won a race during that dark period? Well, if this case is setting a precedence we should.

Don't get me wrong, I believe all drug cheats in all sports should be dealt with once proven. But that is the thing, once proven. Not through hearsay or witch hunts.

I don't know if Lance doped or not, my heart doesn't want to believe it, my head does wonder sometimes, yet how can you really be proven guilty on negative samples? However, what I do know is that doped or not he is still one of the greatest athletes of our time and an amazing and inspirational ambassador for the fight against Cancer.

The benefits the USADA claim this case against Armstrong will bring is the proof and vindication that they are doing their job, cleaning up sport yet they are no hero's.

This story has no hero's.


You can read Lance Armstrong's full statement here