I can’t say that I’m a big fan of cycling but I have to admit that I was very surprised and disappointed when I heard about the doping charges brought against Lance Armstrong. Armstrong had become synonymous…
with overcoming the odds and being a true survivor. He has been inspirational to so many people for fighting cancer and coming back even stronger. The Lance Armstrong Foundation and Live Strong health brand have raised both money and awareness about health and fitness around the world.
It must be difficult for people to accept that a man that has been a hero to some many has deceived his fans in such a dramatic way. Now that eleven of his former team mates are testifying against him and supporting the claims of their team’s widespread doping, the truth seems indisputable.
It’s a massive fall from grace for a man who won the Tour de France seven times. When you look back at his achievements they do almost seem too good to be true, especially after surviving cancer, chemotherapy and brain surgery. In 2005 when Armstrong won his record breaking seventh Tour de France title he said: “I’ll say to the people who don’t believe, the cynics and the sceptics: I’m sorry for you. I’m sorry you don’t believe in miracles.”
But perhaps we’re getting ahead of ourselves, after all, he is innocent until proven guilty, but the evidence against Armstrong is certainly stacking up. Are any of our sporting heroes what they seem to be?