"LANCESLIDE!!" says the headline on the last page of the Times of India yesterday... After the US Anti Doping Agency brought doping charges against the greatest champion in cycling (something that [arguably] they don't have the jurisdiction to do), and emphasized their intention of stripping him of all the titles he won post-1998, Lance Armstrong simply hangs up his (cycling) gloves and walks away...
Lance Edward Armstrong, born 18th September, 1971, son of a secretary and a newspaperman, showed talent in the field of endurance sports from a young age.... Originally a triathlete (he was the number one ranked triathlete in the Under-19 age group when he was only 16), it became apparent that his true talent lay in the field of cycling.
Hit with testicular cancer in 1996, it looked like his cycling career (and possibly his life) was over. The cancer has metastasized to his brain and lungs. Will power, chemotherapy and surgery meant that Armstrong was back to training as early as January 1998. The rest, as they say, is history... 7 consecutive Tour de France titles, and Lance Armstrong became synonymous with the Yellow Jersey at the Tour (The Yellow Jersey is awarded to the over-all Leader of the race at the start of every stage).
But as they say.. "Greatness inspires Envy", Armstrong was always marred with doping allegations, since it was considered that winning the Tour is difficult enough.. For a cancer-survivor to do it (and that too 7 times) just "smells fishy".... Armstrong submitted to approximately 24 unannounced drug tests (Unannounced in the sense, excluding the ones that were conducted routinely at the start, mid and end of every major competition) and was never tested positive in any of them. However, the charges of doping were brought about due to testimonies of former team-mates, trainers, masseurs.. All claiming that Armstrong was a doper.. It all culminated on August 23rd, 2012, when the USADA brought charges attempting to ban Armstrong from Cycling for life.. Armstrong has simply grown fed-up of these base-less accusations, and has decided not to protest against them anymore (which is being considered as an admission of guilt)
An excerpt from Armstrong's official statement on the matter "USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles. I know who won those seven Tours. Today I turn the page..."
On a personal note, it saddens me greatly that a man who has been a source of inspiration to me for a number of years, has been tarnished this way, over allegations brought about by pure hearsay... Just the fact that he has never tested positive to drugs should be enough to convince all the fence-sitters as to who is the bully, and who is being bullied.
He inspires awe in me.. Not only because he is a cancer survivor and a great proponent of cycling, but because he (almost) single-handedly brought cycling into the limelight. Lance Armstrong is to Cycling what Sachin Tendulkar is to Cricket or Michael Schumacher is to Motor Racing.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation, which he founded in 1997, has raised over $500 million for Cancer Research through the sale of yellow wristbands with "LiveStrong" emblazoned on them. The foundation has become one of the top 10 groups funding cancer research. He has also helped found Athletes for Hope, a charity which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires non-athletes to volunteer and support the community in the U.S.
Ignore the nay-sayers, Lance.. "LiveStrong"er!!
Lance Edward Armstrong, born 18th September, 1971, son of a secretary and a newspaperman, showed talent in the field of endurance sports from a young age.... Originally a triathlete (he was the number one ranked triathlete in the Under-19 age group when he was only 16), it became apparent that his true talent lay in the field of cycling.
Hit with testicular cancer in 1996, it looked like his cycling career (and possibly his life) was over. The cancer has metastasized to his brain and lungs. Will power, chemotherapy and surgery meant that Armstrong was back to training as early as January 1998. The rest, as they say, is history... 7 consecutive Tour de France titles, and Lance Armstrong became synonymous with the Yellow Jersey at the Tour (The Yellow Jersey is awarded to the over-all Leader of the race at the start of every stage).
But as they say.. "Greatness inspires Envy", Armstrong was always marred with doping allegations, since it was considered that winning the Tour is difficult enough.. For a cancer-survivor to do it (and that too 7 times) just "smells fishy".... Armstrong submitted to approximately 24 unannounced drug tests (Unannounced in the sense, excluding the ones that were conducted routinely at the start, mid and end of every major competition) and was never tested positive in any of them. However, the charges of doping were brought about due to testimonies of former team-mates, trainers, masseurs.. All claiming that Armstrong was a doper.. It all culminated on August 23rd, 2012, when the USADA brought charges attempting to ban Armstrong from Cycling for life.. Armstrong has simply grown fed-up of these base-less accusations, and has decided not to protest against them anymore (which is being considered as an admission of guilt)
An excerpt from Armstrong's official statement on the matter "USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles. I know who won those seven Tours. Today I turn the page..."
On a personal note, it saddens me greatly that a man who has been a source of inspiration to me for a number of years, has been tarnished this way, over allegations brought about by pure hearsay... Just the fact that he has never tested positive to drugs should be enough to convince all the fence-sitters as to who is the bully, and who is being bullied.
He inspires awe in me.. Not only because he is a cancer survivor and a great proponent of cycling, but because he (almost) single-handedly brought cycling into the limelight. Lance Armstrong is to Cycling what Sachin Tendulkar is to Cricket or Michael Schumacher is to Motor Racing.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation, which he founded in 1997, has raised over $500 million for Cancer Research through the sale of yellow wristbands with "LiveStrong" emblazoned on them. The foundation has become one of the top 10 groups funding cancer research. He has also helped found Athletes for Hope, a charity which helps professional athletes get involved in charitable causes and inspires non-athletes to volunteer and support the community in the U.S.
Ignore the nay-sayers, Lance.. "LiveStrong"er!!
inspiring and moving - reflects that you've written not only with your mind but your heart too.
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