Thanks for hosting a reasonable discussion!

For those bemoaning the USADA for doing this when there is so much more wrong out there; please take some time to read it and how Lance’s behavior affected others. I was particularly heartbroken reading about Dave Zabriskie’s terrible moment of realization that he had arrived at the top level of the sport, only to have to break his promise to himself of never using drugs because of this doping program. Coming from a home ruined by drugs and being faced with that is…I don’t even have words.

I would never argue that Lance has helped many people who were weak and sick in their fights with cancer. But he also stepped on other people seemingly without a thought as a cyclist. That also reflects who he is as a person. You can’t divorce one from the other, which is why you should never invest too much of your identity in someone else.

Do I support the fight against cancer? Damn right I do. But I will no longer support livestrong and at the same time, stroke the massive ego that is LA. I will direct my contributions to other organizations that may not have the same profile but still do equally important work.

Understandable POV. I think it’s awesome that you’re going to work in the fight against cancer, regardless of where you direct your efforts. – FC

I find it difficult to be able to separate the man from his organization. I understand Livestrong (LS) does amazing work and I understand it as someone whose close family has been hit by cancer three times. I am sure it does help many, many people.

Having said this there is a gray moral area here. LS was built on the man’s reputation, I guess his wealth too, and his sporting achievements. All of which, we now know, are a product of his cheating. How do we deal with that? The people who subscribed to the idea of LS and who gave money to it (I have) and who committed to it were doing it because of who Armstrong was, it would be naive to think otherwise. I am pretty sure Mr. Domestique L’obscure would not have been able to build an organization of that size.

Let’s do an excercize here: Say Bernie Madoff, at the height of his wealth, power and fame had used “his” money and convinced his friends to start an organization to help people with maladie X, and this organization had been super successfull. After it all unraveled, after we learnt that Madoff is a liar and a thief who ruined people’s lives, should his organization survive, even if it does good? Should a good organization built on lies and cheating endure?

I am not sure, but I tend to think not. I guess it is up to people who support LS to decide. All I know is if I worked there I would be pretty peeved off at my patron right now. And my future donations/time will go elsewhere.

great blog! cheers!

Rich

I find it difficult to be able to separate the man from his organization. I understand Livestrong (LS) does amazing work and I understand it as someone whose close family has been hit by cancer three times. I am sure it does help many, many people.

Having said this there is a gray moral area here. LS was built on the man’s reputation, I guess his wealth too, and his sporting achievements. (I am pretty sure Mr. DomestiqAll of which, we now know, are a product of his cheating. How do we deal with that?

Let’s do an excercize here: Say Bernie Madoff, at the height of his wealth, power and fame had used “his” money and convinced his friends to start an organization to help people with maladie X, and this organization had been super successfull. After it all unraveled, after we learn that Madoff is a liar and a thief who ruined people’s lives, should his organization survive, even if it does good?