Pensky on Armstrong's Legacy

   
     What to make of Lance Armstrong waving the white flag on the fight to prove his innocence? We know that the United States Anti-Doping Agency sees it as a sign of guilt from the 7-time Tour De France champion. As a longtime cycling fan, and someone who has been very conflicted in my own feelings toward Armstrong, I must say I find all of this to be very sad.

      It's been roughly a week since the USADA announced it was stripping Armstrong of those Tour De France titles and banned him from cycling for life, based on their findings that he used drugs. Interestingly enough, donations to Armstrong's cancer foundation have gone through the roof since the announcement from the USADA.
    
     While many non-cycling diehards are yelling and screaming that Armstrong has been wronged since he never failed a single drug test, I think a lot of purists in the sport are realistic to know that Lance did indeed use PED's.

      All of this has left many confused about Armstrong's legacy and reputation. I will share some of what has gone through my mind, both over the years, and as the findings were released last week by the USADA:

--Armstrong's work to raise money to put an end to cancer far outweighs any banned drug he put in his body to try and win a bike race.

--Armstrong's work with cancer patients far outweighs any banned drug he put in his body to try and win a bike race.

--Armstrong did without a single shred of doubt in my mind take banned substances to try to win the Tour De France.

--Armstrong at times is beyond arrogant and defiant.

--Armstrong is a liar.

--Armstrong is perhaps the single most important role model in the history of the fight against cancer.

--Armstrong has probably helped prolong many lives.

--Armstrong was one of many many cyclists taking PED's during his career.

      So many thoughts, and to be honest, so little to do with all of them. I admit that by the end of his 7 year winning streak, I found him to be so arrogant I was rooting against him. By the time he said he was finished fighting the charges of drug use, I was incredibly sad for him. Ultimately, I care way more about the cancer patients he's helped in the past, and the cancer paitents he's going to help in the future, than I do about anyone cheating to win a bike race.