I jotted down some thoughts on the Armstrong affair for your consideration. Mine is not as good as Dan’s. It is just some pondering. Check it out at www.bikesportmichigan.com in about 30 minutes.
It’s up. It’s more touchy-feely than Dan’s. This is less journalistic.
Be nice- I wrote it in like 20 minutes…
Good thoughts dude.
“For us there is no gay area.”
Maybe make a quick edit there. 
why the picture of you & lemond? that immediately puts a spin on your story.
Interesting picture choice for the editorial. Does that mean you side with Lemond in the whole Lemond vs Armstong ‘thing’. The picture makes your position on Armstong a bit ‘grey’.
well, Tom is getting married, so I guess there is no gay area for him.
nice article
Hey Tom:
When can we check out your book from the library? I seem to recall after your well-distributed bit on the sniper/recon soldier you were working some book deal?
T
Good thoughts.
A quote that popped into my mind in your paragraph beginning “Second, if he didn’t use peds…” is, “An injustince to one is an injustice to all.”
I don’t know if its sympathy I feel here, but this is a high profile case of someone I think is getting screwed by the media. I think he’s telling the truth (opinion) and no one has proven him guilty nor revealed any real evidence that he doped (fact). So I think it comes down to each and every one of us demanding that process be followed.
why the picture of you & lemond? that immediately puts a spin on your story.
Where did you get that cardboard cutout of Lemond? Man, does he look like shit! Get back on the bike, Greg.
Tom,
Very good points. I especially relate to the aspect of triathlon being “outside the gray area”.
I have two kids, both of whom have been swimming since they were 6 years old. Many other parents have expressed wonder at our dedication to swimming. They believe the “other sports” (soccer, basketball, softball, etc) are more fun for both kids and parents.
The lack of a gray area in swimming is precisely the reason we love swimming. The best swimmer is the one who swims the fastest in any given event. There is no subjective aspect to “making the team”. It doesn’t matter if you are the coach’s son, or if your mother is the one who drives all the kids to soccer practice.
Most importantly IMO, is the lessons learned about the direct relationship between goals, hard work, and results. There is no gray area. You work hard, you will improve, and you will see those results clearly and precisely. Swimming provides such wonderful life lessons to kids.
A little off the Lance topic, but it really hit home for me.
Most importantly IMO, is the lessons learned about the direct relationship between goals, hard work, and results. There is no gray area. You work hard, you will improve, and you will see those results clearly and precisely. Swimming provides such wonderful life lessons to kids.
AMEN, right on!
Good article, good read.
I do have one dispute, if LA did not take PED’s, then he has clearly in the “White” area. But unfortunately he was dragged into the “Grey” area by others trying to take him down. If he did not take PEDS he did not choose to be in the Grey area, he was put there and I am certain he does not want to be there.
Tim
“I do have one dispute, if LA did not take PED’s, then he has clearly in the “White” area. But unfortunately he was dragged into the “Grey” area by others trying to take him down. If he did not take PEDS he did not choose to be in the Grey area, he was put there and I am certain he does not want to be there.”
You are right. You have a point here. I have to think about this. Damn. I wish you had been around last night when i was thinking about this.
One problem with writing an editorial in 20 minutes is sometimes I am just plain wrong.
Gray area? You clearly think he’s guilty.
I clearly have no idea.
Tom D - i greatly value your opinions and enjoy reading your posts on this forum (and your website) but something about this editorial just turns me off a little.
Why is it that you go overboard with the “Not that i care about this stuff”? Clearly from the number of threads you have either started or responded to on lance/larry king/PED use you DO care about this? To over state you don’t care just seems to de-value your opinions. No need for it mate, just stating your opinions is good enough for me.
Tom,
I read your editorial. Personally, I feel he entered the gray area by choice when he associated himself with Dr.Ferrari, the world renowned drug doctor, for many years. The doctor was already known to be of dubious character - WTF was LA thinking if he was not intending to take drugs.
Also, to the best of my knowledge, LA has never really provided an acceptable answer as to why the team trainer or physiotherapist (can’t remember which one) was seen dropping needles in a field in France.
I agree with LA that he has been accused for a long time - but has he really ever provided good answers?
Over and out.
“Why is it that you go overboard with the “Not that i care about this stuff”? Clearly from the number of threads you have either started or responded to on lance/larry king/PED use you DO care about this?”
You’re right. Perhaps I would have done better to say… “I wish this had never happened- it’s a mess”
I don’t know what the guy did- if anything. I hear things… But so does everyone. I don’t know one way or another about the “facts”.
One thing I am certain of, I wish it never happened and I wish it went away. Unfortunately- it’s way too late for that.
the grey area is caused by organizations making rules they cannot enforce.
that is the entire problem.
define doping as being ‘taking banned substances that we have effective tests for and can prove conclusively when you are guilty’
and there will be no more grey area.
WADA and the rest of them are political, greedy , and not doing what is in the best interest of sport.