Lance Armstrong: from hero to zero

By Josh Martin, Sports Editor

Lance Armstrong; a man who battled back from testicular cancer—which spread to his lungs and brain—who went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles from 1999–2005, founded the Livestrong cancer awareness charity 15 years ago, and perhaps most importantly, was an inspirational world icon in cycling has lost it all. The doping accusations from his 11 former teammates and the fact that he would not participate in a drug test when called upon several weeks ago is the evidence being used to strip Armstrong of his seven titles and ban him from the sport for life—which brings up the question of whether or not that is enough evidence to strip this so called ‘Kingpin’ from everything he has?

Since this whole ordeal, Armstrong has stepped down as chairman of the Livestrong charity that he founded. He has lost his Nike, Trek Bicycles, and Anheuser-Busch sponsorships as well as others and it is quite likely that he will lose his 2000 Olympic bronze medal too. Yes, it is safe to say that this man has hit rock bottom. But didn’t Armstrong go through hundreds of drugs tests from the USADA through those successful years in his cycling career? Armstrong was accused by his teammates that he forced them to use steroids, blood transfusions, and blood booster EPO, but how is it that they couldn’t catch him with the most sophisticated drug technology?

Several weeks prior to Armstrong’s ‘drug bust’ he was confronted to take part in yet again one more dope test by the USADA to prove his innocence but he stated that, “There comes a point in every man’s life when he has to say, ‘Enough is enough.’ For me that time is now.”

So what does this all mean—that Armstrong’s pride is standing in the way of him keeping his reputation? That he doesn’t want to do one more drug test to prove that he’s not guilty of these allegations? Why is he all of a sudden finished with this nonsense when all eyes are on him, including 11 former teammates? It just doesn’t make sense.

Whether Armstrong is guilty or not doesn’t really matter anymore, though all of the evidence says that he is. But this brings up the question of whether everything in society should be questioned beyond the point of respect? Where is that fine line of privacy? Of trusting someone? Perhaps Armstrong is making a point in human society. That this messed up world has come to a point where there is no escape from authority. One must give in to the fines and rules of regulations in order to go about their lives because the justice system says so.

Whether or not Armstrong is telling the truth, he has lost everything. His reputation, titles, sponsorships, and charity. If his main goal was the make a point, then maybe Mr. Armstrong went a little too far.