Lance Armstrong

[The Dharma Bum]

He was racing the top Americans at that point. Cycling was a pretty small sport back then. I had some buddies that rode on the Violet Crown team with him and he definitely was the best we had at that point. So even without doping he would have been a champ. Just not if everyone was doping except the Americans. Cheating these tests was the name of the game I guess.

Too bad because it ruined what could have been an iconic career.

[The Comrade]

being the top AMERICAN doesn't matter. he had to be the best in the world. and yes, if everyone else was doping and that pool of competitors grew how long could he have realistically been dominant?

[The Dharma Bum]

[Mr.Bill]

I think the point is unless he doped he wouldn't have had any kind of a career. His fame would have been just at the local level, maybe best in the US.. But honestly that's nothing. To be famous and rich he had to compete and win in Europe, so he doped.

Again I am NOT excusing what he did. From what I understand while he was doping and hiding/lying about it he was a real a'hole. So IMO now he's getting what he deserves. I got no love for Bonds, Clemens and the rest who are getting locked out of the MLB HoF either.

But fame and money is one hell of a draw. IF everyone in Europe was doping, then I can understand it a little bit on why he felt he had to.

[Precocity]

[Mr.Bill]

[The Comrade]

there's probably an unspoken agreement between management and players not to make waves. i could see some people losing their careers for trying to expose other players.

[Mr.Bill]

Yeah, there's probably some of that going on.. But if I'm a rookie pitcher, trying to make the team, and not using PED's but because Bonds and some other are using and because they are using I'm giving up tape measure HR's to those guys.. My career isn't going to be very long anyway.

It's a weird situation.. Many, many years ago SI came out with an article. They sent a questionnaire to every single pro athlete in the US.. The question was if a wonder drug was available that would make you the best in your sport, BUT if you took it you would die at the age of 50..Would you take it? Something like 80% said they would.

The fame and the money are addicting.

[PoS]

Nobody likes stool pigeons, if you whistleblow youd be pretty much out of whatever sport it is youre in, I think they all know that.

[JDHURF]