A Biker’s Mission—Philanthropy, Not Dope

When scandal fills the air of a famous athlete, particularly one that stood as an icon and a hero to millions of people, anger, frustration, and disappointment can sink in. And with good reason. But as we look to the accomplishments of Lance Armstrong, some are saying to just look for the good and not let the scandal of doping interfere. Regardless of whether or not Lance Armstrong doped, they say, he has done amazing things with his worldwide yellow rubber wristband that is fighting against cancer. As The Independent reports: “A video posted to Lance Armstrong's website in 2009 shows the cyclist training for the Tour de France on the fearsome Col de la Colombière, one of the great climbs. Drenched in sweat and panting as he takes on the steepest section before the summit, Armstrong is seen overtaking a small boy riding with his father. "What's your name?" Armstrong asks, slowing slightly. "Liam," replies the boy, who is eight years old. Liam wears the yellow and black of Livestrong, the foundation Armstrong set up after surviving testicular cancer. He also sports a yellow wristband, one of 80 million Armstrong has sold for a dollar each, and rides a bike like his hero's, except it's so small the tubes that make up its frame are almost as thick as Liam's little legs. "You know I could barely catch you," Armstrong tells the beaming boy. I'd forgotten about the clip until last week when I watched an investigation into alleged doping by a man who is a role model to millions. Rumours of drug-taking have surrounded Armstrong like a cloud of mosquitoes for much of his career but he has always strongly denied them, often by means of lawsuits. Now the biggest threat to his reputation – and legacy – has come with stinging accusations by a former teammate. Tyler Hamilton told the CBS News show, 60 Minutes, that, among other things, he and Armstrong had taken the blood-boosting drug EPO together. Armstrong denied the allegations, his spokesman accusing Hamilton of inventing the story to get a book deal. Last week, his lawyers demanded an on-air apology. 60 Minutes refused, insisting its story was "truthful, accurate and fair". Meanwhile the UCI, world cycling's governing body, says it supports Armstrong and that it had never been informed of the alleged events.”