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.

[FR_addict]

Lance sounds like he is whining, but I guess I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. We all think about how the war will affect ourselves, but most of us aren't asked how it will affect us for inclusion in the newspaper.

He was probably just answering some question posed by a reporter without thinking. At least he said they couldn't stop him from racing.

This paper really did him a disservice by printing these comments. He's liable to become a target now.

[Gary Boldwater]

Isn't it incredible how many react here? If there's the slightest "tinge" of anything even remotely critical of America they are all over it ready to lynch. If next week Lance says he decides to give up cycling for Americas war effort they will love him. What a bunch of sheep.

[Puppage]

this Iraq thing will be over long before the race begins this summer

Yep. Given that the last Gulf ground war lasted 4 days.

[CROSSHIGHWAYMAN]

I've always considered Armstrong a hero and not a whiner.

Lance baby, as you well know.........

there are more important things than bike racing!!

[Pompah]

With a war underway it would be very difficult for me.
Yeah Lance I can imagine. But I can think of a few thousand Grunts,Sailors,and assorted Ground Pounders Who would have pretty much the same problem.

Mabey not as bad as yours. But Hey ! Suck it up.!!

[MHT]

"C'est dommage...."

[WaveThatFlag]

Dear Lance Armstrong, You are a great bicycle rider from a country that has no interest in bicycle riders. We all admire your courage in overcoming cancer. But, with all due respect:

Tell that to Ted Williams, you jerk!!!

[putupon]

"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,"

"I support President Bush"

Hunh?

...."I would say is to let the (weapons) inspectors do their work."

Major Barf. Sorry 2 wheeled weasel, Americans, Kuwatis and Kurds all die so I can ride my bike in safety.

Turn in your passport and and become a French or U.N. citizen, you tyrant and terrorist propoganda generator.

[ez]

Dear Lance,

An Botox attack would make breathing difficult.

[OldFriend]

Guess the US postal service is calling the shots here.

Too bad Armstrong didn't stick to cycling and leave the national security to the president.

[Claire Voyant]

Lance took his cancer like a man, and yet he's worried about bike racing in the open.

[FReepaholic]

>>...Pay attention ... he's not slamming the war or Bush...<<

You're right. I should have read further into the article before my knee jerked.

[al_c]

You're right. I should have read further into the article before my knee jerked.

Fuggedaboudit. I had the same surprised reaction at first but continued reading anyway. I don't agree with him that we need the world's approval, though.

I do hope he doesn't end up in cross-hairs during his next overseas ride.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Oh shut up.

Sorry for the rudeness but these stupid knee-jerk posts deserve that. Did you actually read the article? He said he supports Bush, he said it wouldn't stop him from going. All he was doing was answering the questions asked him. He didn't call a press conference, he didn't put this statement out, he simply answered some questions.

Next time think it through before you run to the keyboard to bash someone unfairly.

[xzins]

Aren't you friendly today.

And for your information I did read the title and the first 4 lines. :>)

[ActionNewsBill]

Isn't it incredible how many react here? If there's the slightest "tinge" of anything even remotely critical of America they are all over it ready to lynch. If next week Lance says he decides to give up cycling for Americas war effort they will love him. What a bunch of sheep.

I agree with you.These are the same posters that praised Armstrong for being such a "Great American" when he won the tour, now we just hear rabid rheteroic from the "if you're not with us, you're with the terrorists-nuke Baghdad" crowd on the forum. You can be 99% behind Bush but if you make one comment that the war hawks don't like, all of a sudden you're a whining leftist.

Yeah the war would make cycling difficult, but I sure don't get the impression that Lance is anti-American.

[RoughDobermann]

You are a great bicycle rider from a country that has no interest in bicycle riders.

Speak for yourself... Oh, BTW, who is Ted Williams?

[WaveThatFlag]

Speak for yourself... Oh, BTW, who is Ted Williams?

OK, I'll bite. Ted Williams might have been the greatest baseball player who ever lived, but he voluntarily gave up three years in the prime of his career to fly fighter planes in WW II, and most of 2 more in Korea. And he never once bitched about his own personal hardships during his time of need. BTW, if you sympathsize with people who wonder how the war to end terrorism is going to inconvenience them personally, or if you enjoy watching grown men ride around in bicycles, or, for that matter, if your mouth waters at the sight of frogs & snails, I can think of a country in Europe where you might feel more at home.

[RoughDobermann]

Thank you. I actually didn't know who he was. I'm not a baseball fan. Sounds like a brave man and honorable man.

That being said, you'll note that I merely took issue with your comment about cycling and this country. You seem to have some kind of issue with cycling. Why is that? You ask, "enjoy watching grown men ride around in bicycles"? Why, yes, actually I do. Just as I assume you enjoy watching grown men whack a white ball around a field. Why do I enjoy watching (and participating in) competitive cycling? Well, because it is the most physically demanding professional sport in existence, that's why. Professional cyclists are among the most physically-fit humans on the planet, who daily not only deal with, but thrive on overcoming pain in pursuit of victory. Lance has overcome more than that in his life and has returned to dominate the sport, which, mind you, is overwhelmingly European. I'm proud of him as an American and as a cyclist. If you're not, fine. Trust me, Lance wouldn't care either way, and neither do I. BTW, you may want to read his book, It's Not About The Bike, before you make up your mind about him and his views.

[WaveThatFlag]

It's not me who has the issue pal. This country could care less about cycling. And if it weren't for the fact that he annoyed the French by winning their favorite sporting event, I can promise you that this country would not think twice about Lance Armstrong. I actually respect the guy, but his sentiment is not appreciated here.

And the fact that you've never heard of Ted Williams tells me all I need to know about your ability to appreciate sports, and your ability to keep in touch with world events. The man died recently and it was a major news story for at least a month in this country.

Before you suggest any reading, you need to do a little of your own:

http://www.tedwilliams.com

Lance Johnson is a nice, feel-good little story, but never having heard of Teddy Ballgame? That's unAmerican. And I'm a Yankees fan.