Lance Armstrong - Fraud or Persecuted Hero?

This is a sad day for the world of cycling - and competitive sports. Not because of anything that Lance did - but because of the witch hunt that he finally acknowledged is not worth fighting against. USADA has decided to ban him from sports and strip all his titles. Why? Did they prove anything? Nope. Did Lance admit to any wrongdoing? Nope. Has any shred of evidence been introduced showing him guilty of blood doping or drug use? Nope. He simply decided enough is enough. As he has stated over and over - he knows who won all those titles. His opponents know. The world knows. Enough said - he's moving on. He beat cancer. He has helped thousands, maybe millions, do the same. he has inspired us, motivated us, proven that winning simply means never giving up. Now, his critics want to jump on the band wagon and accuse him of quitting - so he must be guilty, right? It saddens me - because Lance has lost nothing. He walks with his head held high and sticks to his convictions. Yet, because of USADA's relentless efforts to discredit Lance, they have instead discredited the sport of cycling, shamed themselves, and called into question the very purpose of what they (USADA) do for sports. Seven Tour de France titles stripped from Lance? No - it's seven tours gone forever. The commentators of future tours won't even discuss this epic battles between Lance and his rivals - so those great athletes also lose - again - Ullrich (2000, 2001, 2003) Alex Zuelle  (1999), Joseba Beloki (2002), Andreas Kloeden (2004) and Ivan Basso (2005). Baseball greats who openly admit to using drugs in the past write books, make comebacks, and live the life of kings. Football doesn't even get touched - too much money at stake. Other sports? Who knows? Lance just keeps moving on - refusing to give in. he didn't quit. He already won - and he knows it. 

Remember the "look" when Lance won the 2001 Tour? It came in the 10th stage , with Armstrong and Jan Ullrich battling in the Alps in the first mountain stage. Out of the saddle, his toes pointed down as he danced on the pedals, Armstrong suddenly slowed and looked over his left shoulder, his eyes fixed on Ullrich's face for four or five seconds, seemingly challenging his chief rival to match the bold move. Armstrong then lit the afterburners, roaring alone toward the peak. Eight miles later, hehad gained two huge minutes on the 1997 champion, sealing his third Tour victory before the three-week race was half over.

That's exactly what Lance has done again. He turned around, looked USADA in the eyes, and moved on a clear winner. Way to go Lance. Keep riding.