Maitre Jacques had it right, after all. He refused tests. He bullied the testers. When asked about drugs he said “one can’t ride the Tour on mineral water.” And he was right. I still don’t understand how I, as an aging racer, can take all sorts of pain and recovery drugs if I so much as scratch my ankle on a crank, but the men who ride the most grueling race in the world can be crucified over eating tainted beef - or for that matter socializing with Dr Ferrari (who by the way stands by Lance.) You asked about the “deniers on this forum,” Cat, and I say that I am one. I deny the prissy authorities and their stolen god Tom Simpson the right to control the Tour. I deny the notion that Lance is “guiltiest of all,” or “guilty at all” for that matter, until I see irrefutable proof of a POSITIVE A AND B TEST. And I deny the likes of the New York Times to presume that this non-news is even a story. I think it’s time, once again, for the riders and teams to take back the Tour.
I've always said that pro sport is entertainment and what ever the athletes are willing to do to give the fans what they want and realize fame and fortune in the process is their choice. Knowing the physical risks the majority will sell their souls time and time again. So what? We gave up the holier than thou persona when we went with the idea of pros in the Olympics. There's nothing left that hasn't been tainted.
US Hockey Team coach Herb Brooks after beating the Russians and winning the gold medal at Lake Placid:
"I've often been asked in the years since Lake Placid what was the best moment for me. Well, it was here - the sight of 20 young men of such differing backgrounds now standing as one. Young men willing to sacrifice so much of themselves all for an unknown. A few years later, the U.S. began using professional athletes at the Games - Dream Teams. I always found that term ironic because now that we have Dream Teams, we seldom ever get to dream. "