As London’s carnival of sport comes to an end with the
closing ceremony of the Paralympics, the city will close the curtain to what will
be seen as a defining summer not only for sport, but for the nation as a whole.
Team GB’s success in harnessing the public’s attention and its ability to
capture medals, many of them gold, will ensure that the London Olympics will be
recognised as the most success modern games on record.
Even the achievements of our Paralympians have exceeded expectations.
The British public have filled out the arenas and have continued to enjoy the
relentless success. Many commentators are arriving at the belief that all
athletes should be held as equals, despite any physical or mental handicap. And,
whilst the athletes would prefer journalists to ask questions about their
training and their hopes for the games, for most, it would be odd not to ask
about their disability. This year’s games have seen injured members of the
armed forces to a survivor from the 7 July terrorist bombings in London; all
with unique and harrowing stories.
Whilst we marvel and are inspired by their success, a man
who overcame his own challenges and rose to the top, inspiring millions along
the way, has seen his reputation dissipate before him. Lance Armstrong, the cancer
surviving cyclist, who went on to win Tour de France seven times, announced in
August that he would not be challenging charges made by the U.S. Anti-Doping
Agency (USADA) in relation to doping offences during his cycling career. In
doing so, Armstrong has been banned for life from the sport and all his successes,
including medals and victories, will be stricken from the record books.
The subsequent press release from Armstrong signalled that
he had spent his entire professional life fighting against doubters and doomsayers
and that ‘enough is enough’. Armstrong felt that the ensuing investigations and
allegations were having an effect on his family life and towards the work of
his foundation. This in effect was not a confession of guilt, but a submission
to the investigation.
Yet, as most involved in the sport point out, this is very
un-Armstrong like. The Texan was renowned for his combative spirit, as well determination
to take on obstacles. He fought his battle with cancer as he did when ascending
the Alps; with the ultimate goal of winning. Why then is he suddenly stopping
the pursuit?
It is likely that the investigations will uncover the scale
of doping, not only committed by Armstrong, but by the whole US Postal Service
team – maybe wider. Examinations and testimonies will apparently reveal that
Armstrong was part of cycling’s dirty secret. Sport’s ultimate survivor did not
possess superhuman qualities, but was tainted like many of others in the sport.
Perhaps the prospect of seeing these allegations thrown at him in the courtroom
was a step too far?
Undoubtedly, Armstrong will remain defiant despite what is
thrown at him. Beyond witness testimony, there is no scientific proof of his
guilt.
And it is that defiance which ultimately prevents Armstrong
from saying anything further.
Anyone who has read his first autobiography ‘It’s Not About
the Bike’, would not be moved by the American’s overcoming of cancer. His
subsequent Livestrong foundation has helped raise millions of pounds and much
more in awareness of the disease. Armstrong’s philosophy was that anyone can
beat cancer and who knows how many it inspired in their own fight. This is
perhaps where his reluctance-cum-intransigence stems from. Perhaps Armstrong
feels that a confession of guilt would undermine his beliefs and everything
the foundation represents. Not only would his reputation as an athlete be tarnished,
but so too the charity he believes in anymore.
Are there any other precedents? It is now over a decade since the South African cricket captain
Hansie Cronje died in an airplane crash. Cronje, a man who had led the country
out of the sporting wilderness of Apartheid, inspiring millions of South
Africans helped the team become one of the most feared sides in the 1990s. Yet,
Cronje’s reputation was destroyed after allegations of match-fixing led to his ultimate
confession in front of a South African courtroom. Cronje, a man of
international standing, wept as he relayed his involvement in illegal
match-fixing syndicates.
Cronje’s decision to confess all, perhaps partly down to the
history of truth and reconciliation in South Africa, illustrated his
willingness to confront the mistakes he had made and for the better of the
game. His own personal reputation would forever be tarnished, even after his death. Yet people still recognise Cronje for his work to help rebuild South Africa, particularly his work in black townships, despite the match-fixing.
For Armstrong this is not even worth considering. He rode from the front in his career and it appears it is where he will remain.
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