Having finished reading David Walsh's brilliant 'Seven Deadly Sins' about Lance Armstrong and his systematic cheating I've been left with feelings a book or story has never stirred in me before.
I've read texts about Henry Hill, Ben Johnson, The Krays, Diego Maradona and other questionable personalities but none left me with the anger and resentment I have now been feeling towards Lance Armstrong. I guess the one difference that has caused this simmering contempt is our one binding link that is cancer. From the book it is obvious that he is a vile bully or had no remorse for conning and spouting lies. He was happy to destroy the lives of others as he rode his bike over them on his way to his false glories. He did this after defying the odds to survive the hideous illness that so many don't get the opportunity to beat. And that is what becomes so irksome. He could have been the hero to all those struck down with illness. He could have been the inspiration that brought smiles to all our faces. No, he may not have ever gone on to win the Tour de France but just returning to fitness and competing in the event would have been an achievement far greater than donning any coloured jersey. He would have given hope and pride to all of us diagnosed with the same illness. But no; he let down all those that have suffered this disease. Then he made it worse! He used cancer and his charities as a shield like some almighty gladiator deflecting the ambushes of his accusers. He talked about wanting to find a cure in cowardly efforts to distract from the questions being asked of him. To use the illness and the hopes of cures as a tool in his despicable fight to cover the truth and his own flaws is something that is like a dagger to the heart of someone who has had the misfortune to suffer this disease. And that is why I have been left feeling like I hate everything about Lance Armstrong, motivates me to want to write a blog that probably no one will read about it, makes me feel like wearing a t-shirt with the slogan 'Lance Armstrong is a scumbag' for all to see, or expressing my disgust on the comments section of his smug Instagram account. In my own efforts to take part in a triathlon, that may be small compared to his now disregarded achievements, my disgust for his actions motivate me further and safe in the knowledge I am doing things in the right way.
