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?
