The Needle And The Damage Done

Lance Armstrong’s decent into the bowels of ignominy was as quick as Felix Baumgartner’s free fall to earth, and about as stable 

as the US Postal Service, the teams sponsor.

To quote the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency there is "overwhelming" evidence Armstrong was involved as a professional cyclist in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program." 

Armstrong has persistently maintained his innocence but the blockade of lies just could hold no more. 

The once impenetrable dam has broken and all conspirators are awash in confessions. The suspicious have been vindicated and the sports future once again thrown into disarray.

The great casualty in all this is the power of truth, that the triumphant endeavors are a mirage and done with deliberate dishonestly. There is a wonder and marvel at someone winning seven Tour de France. 

We have an awe-inspiring desire for it to be true. And yet it was all a sham, a mafia like syndicated group to keep the gravy train rolling and create myth.

The damage done erodes trust and that trust implicates future young riders and charities.

So when you see Lance whizzing down 5^th avenue as a bike messenger spare a thought for all those he let down.

The same could be said of Jimmy Savile, now dead who was the golden untouchable icon of British entertainment. Over three hundred charges of child abuse over several decades have come forward. 

While he raised millions for charity and worked in a hospital he also found it a playground for exploitation. 

The BBC knew all along, but turned a blind eye. One always had a high regard of the BBC’s legitimacy but that too has been eroded.

It’s not the scandal that kills you, it’s the cover up. 

The English punk band The Stranglers had a wonderful song called ‘No More Heroes’ maybe heroes aren’t what we need but a shred of veracity would be nice.