Armstrong is a name much in the news this week.
Neil and Lance.
Two heroes. Both dead.
One of natural causes at the end of a long and storied life of humility and public service. The other had his reputation killed at the end of a long-drawn-out and sordid scandal.
One will be a hero forever…enshrined in our memories – forever in my opinion – as the stuff of legend and worship like the Odyssey, the Kon-Tiki, the Vikings, Marco Polo and many other trailblazers from many ages and cultures the world over. Neil Armstrong will be an icon of what we can achieve as people with the added grace and modesty that the truly great bring to our world.
The other will be remembered as a fallen hero and will of course have a few die-hard fans and protectors (all fallen angels do), while most will hold up his tarnished memory as a lesson to what people will do to stay on top and the dangers of a culture that demands “winners” and rewards the fastest, richest, strongest no matter what. Lance Armstrong will be an icon of the sad outcome of excess that has no limits in its pursuit of success.
At one time – they were similar figures in my personal pantheon of heroes. While I never met Neil Armstrong, I am and have always been enamored with space travel, and as a teenager I remember watching his moonwalk and spending a sleepless night in awe of his accomplishment that ignited my imagination in ways that still spark today.
I did meet Lance, though, and was involved in the famous sponsorship of his Racing Team by the US Postal Service many years ago. Truth is, he ignited all of our imaginations too. Imagine a US Team winning the Tour de France – unheard of – absurd. But he was so passionate – so convincing – so sincere. They won – and won again – and again – crazy (it was a great sponsorship!). His illness. The comeback – amazing…LIVESTRONG – I was/am a supporter and believer. And then this…bad enough the allegations; the letdown – the notion that other athletes who suffered and toiled in pain without enhancements lost to a machine – worse…no accountability – none. And what about the cause? How the mighty have fallen.
So a thought as we near the end of August – two Armstrongs; two heroes – both had dreams that others thought were impossible. Both faced negative odds that most would not bet against. Both tilted at windmills…but with diametrically opposite outcomes…
Listen to this small piece from my favorite play of all time – Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand:
DE GUICHE (who has controlled himself, smiling): …Have you read ‘Don Quixote’?
CYRANO: Yes. And take off my hat to that knight of mad excess.
DE GUICHE: So think again…About the chapter on windmills!…For when you tilt at windmills you often find…That a swirl of the sails on their huge arms will hurl you in the mire!…
CYRANO: Or among the stars!
One was hurled in the mire – the other among the stars.
Two Armstrongs – two outcomes – the mire and the stars.
I for one will be celebrating the life and achievements of Neil – who is truly among the stars…and hoping that LIVESTRONG will not be tainted by the mire.
What do you think?
I am so sad about loosing Neil and even more sad about the unfairness of killing the accomplishments of a unique talented person as Lance. They are both my heroes and they will continue that way, reminding me everyday that there is nothing imposible.
Lance isn’t dead to me. Nor is his reputation tarnished to me, personally. I have thought all along he was guilty, but everyone else was guilty too, so to me it was an even playing field. It has always been that way in the peleton, for good or for bad. I’m not in support of performance enhancing drugs, but this is a complicated situation that is not black and white to me. As Miguel Indurain said, \Lance should keep his 7 tour titles.\
I think this is one of the most eloquent pieces I’ve read by you or anyone. . .
I feel for Lance, but I am in awe of Neil
A great comparison of two strong references. I might add that we’ve seen not the death of Lance but rather a way to race and win. He’s part of a generation of cyclist that the ends justified the means, with the strong support of cycling federations and race organizers. Sadly (or gladly) this only changed when the sponsors ran away. Taking aside the moral judgment, in equal terms Lance should’ve always had the same wins as he did using enhancing drugs. His final move of quitting the legal battle is also interesting. He chose to let the eternal doubt survive the certain of truth.
I am old enough to remember (barely) the magic of the moonwalk. And certainly felt pride at the accomplishments of Lance in the Tour de France. But the so-called “fall” of Lance last week has provoked a lot of thought for me. Even for a cancer survivor, and I am one, he is a confusing figure; heroic and untrustworthy at the same time. But I have been fascinated by how much support remains unwavering, despite his flaws. I too was compelled to blog about it today, in the context of Lance as brand: http://www.sicolamartin.com/articles/steering-the-lance-brand/
Lance as a man is different question, but one that begs all of us to ask whether good deeds outweigh bad. Perhaps Lance being a bit tarnished makes him a better role model – a flawed person (more like me) who overcame great odds to live his dream and help others in the process. I think I can get behind that.
Your story of the two Armstrongs brings some elements of my past to mind. How does one deal with
competition at the highest level? As you know, I have been competitive all of my life. At one point, I was a world-class table tennis player in the world’s top 50 of competitors. I was doing well until the Chinese entered the competition. They not only invented a new grip called pencil that eliminated the need to turn the racket for forehand and backhand. They also, at the time, created rackets that had rubber facings that made the ball spin however they liked.The first member of our team in frustration began to step on the balls as they hit the floor thereby attempting to destroy any winning ball. That psychology didn’t work so we just had to try harder, and even then we lost. We tried other gimmicks and nothing worked. That was a test of wills as well of skills. We finally just had to admit that we were fairly beaten. But in competition, the weak frequently search for gimmicks. I learned then, as I know now, that to compete successfully one just has to be better and try harder. It’s tough when you are in the big leagues as this agency is and has been… but as Avis advertised, We try harder! …and we still do!!!
Great connect, David. Neil won his battle with the windmill. Don Quixote lost his. But they both will be remembered with love and respect. Lance won’t.
very well expressed, David. I actually shook hands with Neil Armstrong when the Apollo astronauts visited Pakistan in 1969 and I represented my college at a reception hosted by the Governor!
very well expressed, David. I’ll always remember the experience of shaking hands with Neil Armstrong when the Apollo astronauts visited Pakistan shortly after the moon landing. I was representing my college at a reception hosted for them by the Governor.
Lance Armstrong still crossed the line first. Seven times. The drugs didn’t do that. They can take away the name on a list somewhere, but they can’t take that away from him.
Lets remember the good guys who didnt take drugs and finished down the list. These were the real winners ,the ones that were not prepared to compromise and live as cheats for the rest of their lives.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/08/06/120806fa_fact_singer
If its only about crossing the finish line — read this