The new improved Lance Armstrong discussion thread.*

[johnr]

The canonisation of Lance Armstrong will commence on Thursday, when he will be lauded for "15 years, of serving and empowering" 2.5 million cancer survivors. The following day Hollywood will pay its respects, in the form of a gala featuring Sean Penn, Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.

On Saturday, more than 100,000 American Football fans, and millions of TV viewers on ABC, will laud the cyclist, and his eponymous foundation, at the start of the second quarter of the College game between Baylor and the University of Texas. The entire student section, which seats 17,000, will simultaneously don specially designed Nike shirts, promoting Armstrong's Livestrong brand.

On Sunday 4,000 cyclists will pay $50 to participate in a challenge event in Armstrong's home town of Austin, Texas. His foundation's sponsors will underwrite performances by local drama groups, musical acts, and sporting activities ranging from tennis to yoga.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...fuses-to-accept-a-heros-downfall-8210381.html

And Nike - the dopers' clothing line of choice - are giving him $7.5 million annually. This year's pocket money will pay off the TdF.

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

The canonisation of Lance Armstrong will commence on Thursday, when he will be lauded for "15 years, of serving and empowering" 2.5 million cancer survivors. The following day Hollywood will pay its respects, in the form of a gala featuring Sean Penn, Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.

On Saturday, more than 100,000 American Football fans, and millions of TV viewers on ABC, will laud the cyclist, and his eponymous foundation, at the start of the second quarter of the College game between Baylor and the University of Texas. The entire student section, which seats 17,000, will simultaneously don specially designed Nike shirts, promoting Armstrong's Livestrong brand.

On Sunday 4,000 cyclists will pay $50 to participate in a challenge event in Armstrong's home town of Austin, Texas. His foundation's sponsors will underwrite performances by local drama groups, musical acts, and sporting activities ranging from tennis to yoga.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...fuses-to-accept-a-heros-downfall-8210381.html

Eek! I thought that that was a first-rate parody until I saw the link. Then I read the article and discovered that LA is no longer a mere mortal...

To reinforce the point, the front page of Armstrong's website carries a freshly-posted paean of praise from Sarah O'Leary, who is described as a "marketing expert, public speaker, licensed minister and issues-focused independent".
She writes: "The gun that should be smoking isn't, and wouldn't have any real effect on the brand Livestrong if it were. Lance stopped being a mere professional cyclist while he was still on his bike, and the accusations against him have had their 15 minutes of fame. Unlike mere mortal performers, Lance lives in rarefied air that only a scant few professional athletes reach. He is substantially bigger than his sport."

 

[Crackle]

The canonisation of Lance Armstrong will commence on Thursday, when he will be lauded for "15 years, of serving and empowering" 2.5 million cancer survivors. The following day Hollywood will pay its respects, in the form of a gala featuring Sean Penn, Ben Stiller and Robin Williams.

On Saturday, more than 100,000 American Football fans, and millions of TV viewers on ABC, will laud the cyclist, and his eponymous foundation, at the start of the second quarter of the College game between Baylor and the University of Texas. The entire student section, which seats 17,000, will simultaneously don specially designed Nike shirts, promoting Armstrong's Livestrong brand.

On Sunday 4,000 cyclists will pay $50 to participate in a challenge event in Armstrong's home town of Austin, Texas. His foundation's sponsors will underwrite performances by local drama groups, musical acts, and sporting activities ranging from tennis to yoga.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...fuses-to-accept-a-heros-downfall-8210381.html

Very good article that and it's kind of expected. Armstrong was never going to lie down and Livestrong is the only place he could go to once he was banned. In a way I don't want to see Livestrong fail because of what it means to others but the process of prizing him away from it is going to be a long one and a complex one, assuming it happens.

 

[dellzeqq]

Very good article that and it's kind of expected. Armstrong was never going to lie down and Livestrong is the only place he could go to once he was banned. In a way I don't want to see Livestrong fail because of what it means to others but the process of prizing him away from it is going to be a long one and a complex one, assuming it happens.

It looks to me as if both Livestrong and Armstrong will prosper - although I accept that the response he receives at public events will affect the outlook of his financial backers. My guess, for what it is worth, is that he will receive tumultuous applause.

 

[johnr]

and talking of 'I used to but I don't anymore', anyone heard from the voice of cycling recently? Or has laryngitis finally claimed Phil Leggett? I think we should be told.

 

[festival]

and talking of 'I used to but I don't anymore', anyone heard from the voice of cycling recently? Or has laryngitis finally claimed Phil Leggett? I think we should be told.

There will be a short delay, I hear he is having a problem removing his head from his arse.

 

[yello]

It looks to me as if both Livestrong and Armstrong will prosper - although I accept that the response he receives at public events will affect the outlook of his financial backers. My guess, for what it is worth, is that he will receive tumultuous applause.

You could well be right and I certainly wouldn't bet against it. I'm quite content to sit back and watch that part of the story unfold as it will.

 

[DogTired]

Very good article that and it's kind of expected. Armstrong was never going to lie down and Livestrong is the only place he could go to once he was banned. In a way I don't want to see Livestrong fail because of what it means to others but the process of prizing him away from it is going to be a long one and a complex one, assuming it happens.

Will people turn around at some point and think 'Liar, bully, cheat" - and he sits on a charity thats spent $500million?

People seem to think that Livestrong does a 'lot of good work'. Raising cash and spending it wisely are 2 different things. If his fans went through the annual reports (on the web) to find out what Livestrong achieves for 35-50million a year some eyes may be opened...

 

[festival]

Just read comments from Mike Turter, race director of the Tour down under.
"If your saying to me are you sorry we had Lance at the race? absolutely not."
While I understand the need to promote your product and LA's drawing power at the time etc etc, he followed up with, "Until there is 100% clear, factual evidence to indicate there's an issue then i will listen to that."
FFS. what planet are these people living on? and this guy is also the president of the oceanic cycling federation. Good grief!

 

[asterix]

Are charities the first refuge of a scoundrel?

 

[raindog]

FFS. what planet are these people living on? and this guy is also the president of the oceanic cycling federation.

I think there's still a lot of "mates is mates" going on.

 

[yello]

and arse covering

 

[Crackle]

People seem to think that Livestrong does a 'lot of good work'. Raising cash and spending it wisely are 2 different things. If his fans went through the annual reports (on the web) to find out what Livestrong achieves for 35-50million a year some eyes may be opened...

We might see it happen, we might see Livestrong dissected and compared to other charities, at which point who knows.

 

[just jim]

To reinforce the point, the front page of Armstrong's website carries a freshly-posted paean of praise from Sarah O'Leary, who is described as a "marketing expert, public speaker, licensed minister, and issues-focused independent"

Whatever it takes.

 

[Red Light]

It looks to me as if both Livestrong and Armstrong will prosper - although I accept that the response he receives at public events will affect the outlook of his financial backers. My guess, for what it is worth, is that he will receive tumultuous applause.

I'm inclined to agree - look at all the publicity he is getting. I bet it breaks attendance records as a result. As they say, there is no such thing as bad publicity.