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thats the problem w/ the world today, we have become so bitter that when someone does something incredible, then there has to be something behind it that falsifies (i think thats a word?) it. its just unreal how there can b something so great as LA that people try to tarnish. the man had severe cancer for crying out loud, now he's done something that no man on earth has been able to do...win 6 tour de france's, CONSECUTIVELY for that matter! the man is incredible and should b an inspiration to us all

Did anyone else see the Toadlickers spitting on him during the race? :evil:

Yeah - and who wants the French to be our allies? Oh yeah, John Kerry. These people are the same ones that condemn our every action, hate our citizens (except Michael Moore), and are totally ungrateful that they aren't speaking German today. Regardless of their politics, it amazes me that these people can spit on a non-political person in a sporting event. The country of France and it's arrogant citizens reminds me more of an enemy than a friend.

so true.

I agree the world has become bitter and looks upon every great athlete with suspicion. However, previous athletes have fooled us before and we don't want to allow ourselves to feel naive again.

Several examples.... Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa brought baseball back to life back in 98 (?). Then we find McGwire is on steroids.....legal in baseball at the time, but nonetheless, it does diminish his accomplishment.

A little over a year ago Kobe Bryant seemed like the poster boy for athletic role models. Now after a rape accusation and single handedly dismantling the Lakers, he is viewed quite differently.

Everyone believed OJ Simpson was a wonderful human being before his trial 10 years ago. Then we found it was not just a wife beater, but also a murderer.

The truth is we want to believe Lance Armstrong is innocent and we all believe he his, but lets face it, many of us won't be surprised if sometime in the future something is uncovered about him using drugs. We only know the Lance Armstrong the media shows us.

I have to completely disagree with the McGwire thing. Like you said, the substance wasn't banned at the time that he was using it. So what is the problem there? Ninety-five percent of professional athletes out there use some type of substance, whether it may be just play protein or creatine or whatever. If he isn't breaking the rules, then the accomlishment is completely legit and I see no reason why anyone should view it as tarnished.

Now if you want my view on substances, that is totally different. Personally, I don't think that any athlete should be allowed to use anything and I don't even think we should go to the gym to lift weights. You want protein? Eat eggs and meat and such. You want to build muscle? Go chop wood for someone or throw hay bails. Do something worthwhile that will help someone out.

I'm not trying to attack you Runner. I'm just sharing my view on the issue.

It's a shame stuff like this takes away from what Lance has accomplished. After today he can add another Tour Championship to his resume... first person ever with 6 of them. Has he taken banned substances... possibily. Has he ever failed a drug test... no. Until some sort of auctual evidence is produced he should not have to deal with the false accusations. Let the man have his glory...

Lots of guilty athletes have never tested positive. Do you believe Barry Bonds has never taken steroids? He's never tested positive either. The East Germans and Russians of the 70's and 80's were found to be drug users after the documents behind the Berlin Wall were found. However, they never failed a drug test during the Olympics and are walking around with a lot of undeserved medals.

4him: It's ok, I don't take it as an attack...we're both just voicing opinions. My problems with McGwire is that he used steroids to enhance his performance. Even those these drugs have long been illegal in other sports, baseball turned a blind eye and allowed athletes to use them. In McGwire's mind, maybe he felt that he was well within the rules. However, he attained records that only other steroid using humans can achieve. That's not fair to all those who played before steroids and won't be fair to all those who are playing under the rules where steroids are illegal.

Yeah...like I said, screw that performing enhancing stuff all together!! Get rid of it all!

You can't deny that McGwire was a great hitter though. You gotta be able see the ball, pick your pitch, and then hit it on the nose for it to go out of the park. But you are right in the aspect that, with drugs, his long fly ball outs then became HR's. And without them, it is possible that he wouldn't have came close to the record.