Why Lance Armstrong Cheated

First of all, full disclosure is required. I am an avid bike rider and cancer survivor.

The recent news story of interest has been the confession of Lance Armstrong to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) during his seven Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005. Erythropoietin (EPO), testosterone, blood doping, and human growth hormone (hGH) were routinely used by Lance and his teams, as they prepared for and dominated European professional cycle races over much of the last decade. As I listened to the post-confession commentaries on radio and television, analysts were unanimous in their description and characterization of Mr. Armstrong as a liar, cheater, bully, and more. In his article, It’s all about the Lies, Rick Reilly stated, “I've been fooled (for 14 years) and I have been fooled before…I guess I should forgive him… But I'm not quite ready… Give me 14 years, maybe.” The scathing condemnation is appropriate for a man who broke the rules and over many years denied his involvement in cheating and drug use, while attempting to destroy the character, reputations, and financial livelihood of anyone who attempted to reveal the truth about his activities by lawsuits and verbal intimidation. In Lance’s attempt at contrition, “I deserve it and I cannot blame people who cannot forgive me for my actions. I alone am responsible.”


Cycling is a popular European sport. But in America the media cared little about it unless an American was winning races, as was Lance. Before him, there was a blip of publicity when Greg LeMond, the American from California, won three titles in 1986, 1989, and 1990 and the first American and non-European to win. Those of us who follow cycling (at least, European professional cycling) have believed for many years – that Lance Armstrong and his teammates were doping. In fact, most of the podium winners of the Grand Tours over the last 20 years or so have almost all tested positive and been suspended or admitted to drug use. His admission is simply confirmation of what many of us suspected or was whispered for many years. Only the naïve would believe otherwise. If there ever was a place where “everybody does it” appears to be a reasonable application, it was in cycling. So, the seeming surprise about the revelations of cheating appears to be either due to ignorance or naiveté by the news media about this sport noted for its corruption.

But there is another point to this post! The surprise is also noteworthy because I know why he doped. Here’s why! We are embedded in a culture of lying and cheating to get ahead. This is by no means an excuse for Lance’s behavior. (Don’t forget his bullying and Mafia-Don-like attack on his detractors.) The political season just ended revealed candidates – Presidential, Senatorial, and others, who blatantly lied day after day in speeches, ads, through their surrogates, and in character assassinations that would make the most audacious one blush. Anyone remembers the campaign manager who refused to allow “fact checkers” to control his candidate’s message? Anyone remembers the etch-a-sketch quote? Any one aware of the insider trading scandals and profiteering at all cost mentality that has brought our economy to its knees in recent years? Is anyone aware of the inundation of success-by-any-means-possible and academic dishonesty that pervade our nation’s colleges and universities? Is anyone following the apparent increase in the manipulation of scientific research simply to obtain more grant money and pad the resume? Is anyone following the shortcut and/or falsifying of biomedical research by multi-billion dollar biomedical corporations to produce drugs for profit while leaving the health and welfare of the infirmed at risk? Now, there have always been cheaters, and always will be. However, we live in an age where the goal to reach the top is regarded as the ultimate goal regardless of the many trampled at the bottom. American sports have been inundated with drug cheats – baseball, football, track and field. But when our so-called moral leaders – pastors, politicians and congressional hopefuls show little penchant for honesty, why do we expect any different from Lance?

So, why the apparent sudden surprise and vitriol about Lance? Am I making an excuse for Lance Armstrong’s behavior? No I am not! Not even his demonnstrably heroic efforts on behalf of cancer victims and establishing Livestrong get him off the hook. Let’s bring to light all the cheaters and liars. Let’s clean up our sports. Let’s not stand aside and accept politicians who play fast and loose with the truth in order to win a seat or manipulate public opinion whether they are on your side of the politcal spectrum or not. There is a difference between differences of opinion and bald face lying. And like Lance, there are a lot of confessions needed. But no sin is unforgivable and I am drawing attention to the axiom, “He that is without sin, cast the first stone…but go and sin no more.”

What Green Pastures, Mr Howard?

With the tragedy of Newtown, Connecticut still fresh on our minds, I flailed around trying to decide what I should post on my blog this week. It is hard to think or write without the visions of a Bushmaster, Glock, ambulances, first responders, or visions of little six-year old kids in funeral coffins swirling around in my head. We all need to grieve together. The entire nation! Maybe we should offer an offering of repentance for the shameless gun policies that make such tragedies as easy as stealing candy from a kid. Instead, we take their lives. Here, I express my personal sympathies to the many parents, siblings and extended loved ones closely connected to this tragedy. Enough of that and maybe a little distraction can be a salve to the soul in these troubling times. So, I will write about sports. Sport has always been used in our culture as a distractor – a symbol that life goes on and the struggle of yesterday is the fertilizer of tomorrow’s successes. My distractor this week is basketball, especially as my Chicago Bears crash down the standing – another disappointment to Windy City fans. So, would have believed that after the first quarter of the 2012-2013 NBA season, the Orlando Magic (12-13) would have a better record than the Los Angeles Lakers (12-14). Really? The purveyors of Vegas would be richer than Dwight Howard. The Magic traded their best player, Dwight Howard to the Lakers. The roster was gutted with a desire to rebuild a franchise that made the NBA playoffs for the last 6 years, and ironically played against the Lakers in the NBA finals in 2009. Howard joined Kobe Bryant, arguably the best player of the last decade (even if not at the present time) , Pau Gasol, a top 10 power forward , and Steve Nash, regarded as one of the best point guards in the Western Conference, and Metta World Peace. Who? Yea! That guy formerly known as, Ron Artest. Howard, after months of denials, waffling, and team disruption asked to be traded and got his wish. The bright lights of LA would certainly deliver him his much coveted NBA title. After all, LeBron James got his ring after moving from the frigid northern tundra of Cleveland to the subtropical climes of South Beach to join his friends, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. The season is far from over and the Lakers may yet emerge from the graveyard of lottery bound teams. My Mom used to say, “Son, the grass is not always greener on the other side!” That truism, Mr. Howard may yet discover, is not a myth.