It Never Was About The Bike

So much talk.  So many opinions.  So much judgement. So many stones thrown.

One of the books Lance Armstrong wrote is entitled It's Not About the Bike.  And that really sums it all up for me.  I did not become a Lance Armstrong fan because of what he did on that bike in the French Alps.  At all.  The competition level in those races was merely leveled by his cheating.  He cheated, he lied, and like almost everyone else who hasn't been completely truthful, he tried to cover it up.  This isn't about the cheating and the lies and the cover-up.  Winning those races and the fame that it brought to Lance was really only a means to an end.  And not the end you think.  Yes, he became rich from the sponsors and endorsements and books, but the primary goal was to bring awareness and funding to the fight against cancer.  He has always said that this was his goal.  And as a cancer survivor, THIS is what's it's about for me.

Lance is a very strong-willed, passionate man when it comes to cancer.  He was given a death sentence and he simply refused to go along with it.  The details of the fight that he and his mother lauched against this disease are amazing.  The fight and perservernce that he showed later in the Tour were clearly shown in his fight against the disease and the system that treated it.  He attacked it, just like he did the mountain stages years later.  He used their experiences and the knowledge and perspective that they gained to help literally millions of people who have received the same diagnosis.  Including myself.  The information, resources, network and support that the LIVESTRONG organization has provided has been groundbreaking and invaluable.   

Unless you've heard the words "you have cancer" yourself, there is no way you can understand the toll that those three words can take on you.  Physically and emotionally.  Lance took the reins after he survived and did SO INCREDIBLY MUCH for the fight against cancer.  He was the face of the fight for so many years.  He gave cancer survivors support, information, a network, and most importantly...hope.  And that hope is invaluable.  THAT is what it's about. 

So while you're reading and listening to stinking everyone and their brother giving their opinion on Lance, what he's done, and his admission, please remember that the focus needs to be on his survival and his enormous efforts to help those who are fighting this horrible disease.  It's not about the drugs.  It's not about the cheating.  It's not about the lies.  It's not about the admission.  It's not about the bike.  It never, ever was.  And it never should be.