Lance Armstrong: A war would make racing difficult

Reuters ^ | Jan. 30, 2003 | Reuters

[jern]

Thursday, January 30

Armstrong: A war would make racing difficult

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reuters

MILAN -- American cyclist Lance Armstrong, the four-time Tour de France champion, says he is concerned about his security if the United States goes to war against Iraq.

"We Americans do not enjoy much sympathy abroad at the moment," Armstrong said in an interview with the Italian sports daily Gazzetta dello Sport published on Thursday. "If I have to do the Tour with a war under way it would be very difficult for me."

"In cycling you ride in the open -- there is no fencing or protection nets. But I will be there just the same, it won't be the war that stops me," said the American.

Asked if he would pull out in the case of direct threats against him, Armstrong said he would not be intimidated.

"I hope that it won't happen. But even if I am advised to pull out for security reasons I will still go," Armstrong said. "I am not afraid and anyway I am not convinced that that there will be a war."

Texan-born Armstrong, 31, said he broadly backed Bush's stand on Iraq.

"I support President Bush. The only thing I would say is to let the (weapons) inspectors do their work. Let's take the decisions afterwards and anyway we can't go against the rest of the world," the U.S. Postal cyclist said.

Armstrong, who fought off testicular cancer, is a member of a U.S. presidential commission on cancer and was personally congratulated by Bush after winning his fourth consecutive Tour last year.

Cycling has been plagued with a series of doping scandals in recent years, but Armstrong said the situation had improved significantly.

"Cycling is under the microscope but I am convinced that if you look closely at soccer, tennis, athletics and rugby you would find the same things," he said. "I am convinced that cycling is now cleaner than ever and we have done much more than other sports," he added.

Armstrong also said he is totally focused on winning his fifth Tour next season.

"I am thinking only about winning that race. Ever since I have been on a bike I have been riding only for success in the Tour.

"I will be a cyclist as long as I enjoy it and at this moment my love for this sport is stronger than ever," he said.

[HEY4QDEMS]

Oh well, I guess we should just stop everything.

[FReepaholic]

>>..."In cycling you ride in the open -- there is no fencing or protection nets...<<

There were no "fencing or protection nets" for the people that died on September 11, 2001, either Mr. Armstrong.

[Types_with_Fist]

We Americans do not enjoy much sympathy abroad at the moment."

Perhaps we should be aiming for "respect," Lance.

[Diverdogz]

Lance is awesome.

[alisasny]

Hey LANCE, perhaps Gw Bush should boycott next summers Olympics instead of war....that will get them : )))

[freeper12]

>>There were no "fencing or protection nets" for the people that died on September 11, 2001, either Mr. Armstrong.


And your point is what? He didn't say he wouldn't go...

[HEY4QDEMS]

I agree, he completely dominates the sport.

And although he says he completely supports GWB, he had cheapened that statement by precluding it with 'a war will make things difficult for me'. (everything after that is CMA babble)

[KansasConservative1]

Dear Lance, I do think you are great </Serious>. Sorry for any inconvience that a war may cause.

[B. Rabbit]

Yeah, really. People are looking at this a little too harshly. A lot of what he says really isn't SO bad. He supports his President, but he personally believes we should give the inspectors more time. If that falls through, he implies that war is the next logical step.

I'm not saying that that is my position, but there are a lot of celebrity types out there that are saying far worse things...

[stainlessbanner]

"Get on your bikes and ride!"

[cav68]

Another I want person, I want peace but there will be none until this settle once and for all. Inspections are a joke and anyone who would believe they are going to find any WMD are from the far far left.

[freeper12]

>>there are a lot of celebrity types out there that are saying far worse things...


Really, and the guy didn't buy air time to get his opinioon out...he was interviewed by a cycling magazine and asked some questions and he answered them.

I wonder how many of you guys, if your life was specifically threatened by terrorists, would fly over to france and ride your bike around unprotected...not many I guess.

[xzins]

Let's see

on the one hand I got 3000 dead at WTC.

But

On the other hand, I've got Lance in France where muslims rant and he has no chance....if they start shooting.

I'd say we better choose the 1 over the 3000.

The good of the 1 outweighs the good of the many.

[Dog Gone]

Let's take the decisions afterwards and anyway we can't go against the rest of the world," the U.S. Postal cyclist said.

Uh, Lance, ever hear of England or Australia? They are actually sending soldiers right now.

[al_c]

There were no "fencing or protection nets" for the people that died on September 11, 2001, either Mr. Armstrong.

Pay attention ... he's not slamming the war or Bush. In fact, he said he supports Bush and won't let a war keep him from racing. Sounds like a brave statement to me. Another reason to like Lance Armstrong.

[ilgipper]

I normally have high regard for Armstrong, but I guess he didn't notice that we were at war LAST SUMMER when he was participating in the Tour de France. Besides, this Iraq thing will be over long before the race begins this summer (assuming a Feb or March beginning)

[freeper12]

..I give up, you guys are right...lets go hang Lance because he said something that agreed with Bush *only* 95% ...how dare he differ in opinion that 5%...got a rope?

[vbmoneyspender]

"The only thing I would say is to let the (weapons) inspectors do their work. Let's take the decisions afterwards and anyway we can't go against the rest of the world," the U.S. Postal cyclist said.

Sounds like Lance has been in France for way too long.

[tacticalogic]

If it was easy, it wouldn't be much of a race, now would it?