Breaking on CNN website! Lance Armstrong retires...

[edbermac]

Wow, they're really on top of the news today, aren't they?

:wow:

<snip>
Six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong announced today his retirement from competitive cycling. Armstrong, who beat cancer to become one of cycling's greatest names, said: "The (2005) Tour de France will be the last race of my professional career." As well as raising the profile of cycling, Armstrong has built a charity in his name to combat cancer."
<snip>

www.cnn.com

[Renew Deal]

1. I wish him the best.

And I hope he takes one more in 2005.

[ffm172]

3. and I hope Jan Ullrich beats him this year

but I seriously doubt it

[derby378]

2. He's done America - and cancer survivors - proud

Best of luck to you, Lance.

[bbernardini]

4. I wonder how long Sheryl Crow will stay with him...

...now that she won't have a media spotlight to hog.

That being said, Lance rocks, and the things he's done for cancer awareness are amazing.

[MADem]

8. A serious question

...not following bike racing...

Does Lance use one of those non-paradigm bike seats now? Some speculate that his cancer was aggravated by the pressure on his testes by a classic seat....

And for you history buffs: Bicycle Seats Explained! http://www.jimlangley.net/crank/bicycleseats.html

[Flubadubya]

5. That's fine...

but I can't worry about Lance Armstrong. I am really happy that he beat cancer, but boy has he ever taken advantage of the system. This guy has probably gotten richer from his "tony" commercial endorsements than he ever made in awards for his real athletic achievements.

I don't mean to be cynical, but what is just a bit tiresome to me is America's obsession with "hero worship". Sheez, do they really deserve to be that "rich" for having ridden a bicycle?

Flame on!

[mhr]

6. All CEOs, All Professional Athletes Are Overpaid

Flame suit on!

[Flubadubya]

25. Thank you. n/t

[Joe the Revelator]

10. If there ever was a hero to look up to....

Lance would be one of them. What a bitter life you must lead.

[Flubadubya]

15. Oh really... my you just know me so well...oh pshaw!

I'll tell you what my "beef" is. I just don't appreciate the fact that people in "sports" are held up to be something "more special" than any other people of great accomplishment who are not so well remunerated. Think of some of the greatest minds of this and the previous century who never "had it so good" as Lance Armstrong.

Oh, and by the way, thanks for the unsolicited (and incorrect) assessment of my life. Bitter, I don't think so, unless you are talking about the bitterness I feel when the downtrodden in this country (and in the world) are KICKED once again by those of hyper-aggrandized privilege.

I really don't begrudge Lance his fame, I just don't appreciate the system that puts more monetary emphasis on superficial awards/rewards for the "athletically-accomplished" over the real exigencies of the truly needy... and those who take advantage of it by selling themselves to the "market", i.e. Lance. I mean, really, how many obnoxious TV commercials has he appeared in? I just simply have a greater love of those whose needs are not ever met over those who are given more than they can ever use by a society whose priorities are all out of whack... that's all.

Now, tell me again about my "bitterness"?!

[Scout1071]

39. Sure sounds bitter to me.

And more than a little bit jealous.

Lance Armstrong certainly has done us proud and he deserves his money. I've met him and I've seen him race. Incredible. You should see the communities come out in full force when he is racing thru - he is a true hero because of his fight from cancer and his subsequent consecutive victories in an event that some call the toughest physical competition in the world and because of what he inspires in us. It was truly exhilarating to see him in action not because he's an overpaid guy on a bike but because of the reaction that he generated. Politics aside for that time, those communities were together for one common cause and I've got to tell you fella.....that ain't bad. It was certainly the part of America that I personally love the most.

[Bake]

46. Lots of regular people fight, and beat, cancer too.

I don't see them getting endorsement deals. I see them thanking their doctors.

I truly don't begrudge Lance whatever fame has brought him. But professional athletes are among the most overpaid prima donnas in the world, while contributing little to the betterment of society. And I say that as one who enjoys sports as much as anybody.

Bake

[KitchenWitch]

48. Thanks Bake!

I personally have had and beat cancer, and I am not a multimillionaire. I survived a more systemic cancer than Armstrong, but so much emphasis is put on how heroic he was that he survived. About 70% of men with advanced testicular cancer survive and are cured. (According to the fda website). As far as cancers go, testicular cancer is fairly localized.

It is remarkable that he has been able to continue his career post cancer treatment. It is a testament to what good shape he was in BEFORE the treatment. He is not far enough out to have suffered long term effects of prior cancer treatment, such as heart problems from chemo and radiation, lack of thyroid production (and thus the need for thyroid hormone replacement), and various and sundry other long term effects. I am 18 years post cancer treatment, and let me tell you, the long term effects are another whole challenge to overcome. Millions of people are beating cancer every day, just as heroically, but in virtual silence compared to Lance Armstrong...Do not get me wrong, mad props for what he has been able to accomplish in his career, but he is no more heroic than I am or others like me are.

[Joe the Revelator]

44. I stick with my original opinion....you're bitter....heres why:

Some people can't look past the bad in the world, to also recognize and support the good. Every time the good is mentioned, these bitter Betty's have to chime in that things are still bad for someone, somewhere.

I don't think that any of us forget that there is still a lot of injustice in the world, its just that we're not so wrapped up in that, that we can't also see and appreciate the good thats out there.

[alfredo]

12. You know he gave all his Tour De France earnings to his teammates.

That's a cool million per year. It is a tradition for the winner to give his winnings to his team. Lance honored that tradition, so I do not begrudge him any money he gets from endorsements.

[m0nkeyneck]

20. earned/deserved every penny

[Flubadubya]

21. Really?

Please read post #15. Thanks.

[m0nkeyneck]

23. it's not a perfect world..

but if it was; he'd still be the fastest

;-P

[mhr]

27. So Because The World Is Not Perfect That Becomes An Excuse

For the disparities in income that we see today.

Such a hand waving excuse will not pass muster with me.

[New Dealer]

30. It's our fault he and most entertainers are overpaid

Every time you pay $10.00 to see a movie you are helping to pay the multimillion dollar saleries of actors and actresses. Every time you go to a baseball game you are helping to pay the salaries of the baseball players. Hell, even when you watch the game on TV you are still helping to pay their saleries by being exposed to commercials. Until you get a massive movement to boycott movies and sports events, entertainers will continue to be overpaid.

[Flubadubya]

38. Fact is...

I don't do ANY of those things... so, how many does that leave??? :)

[thebigidea]

47. not really. the $10 goes to distributors and middlemen.

[MADem]

41. I remember one that he did with his wife and kid

...by a mountain stream. That was before he dumped the wife for a "more famous" companion. That's not very heroic to me, frankly!

[Throckmorton]

43. Agreed

N/T

[CBGLuthier]

7. guess he is retiring before they perfect a drug test to catch him nt

[Renew Deal]

13. Prove he ever used drugs.

Otherwise this is a steaming pile.

[LostinVA]

19. I have no idea if he's a user or not, However

There was an EXHAUSTIVE investigation in France that went well into witch hunting territory. They found nothing, even after testing saved urine samples. So, if he did use, I guess he's just smarter than every other cyclist in the world.

[Renew Deal]

28. Not just every cyclist

but every athlete and the World testing body.

[LostinVA]

31. Also, Pro cyclist have an incredibly strict testing regime

They are surprised tested any time, any place, year round. It can be dinner time, the middle of the night, etc. You literally have to pee right then and there. And, they really are surprises. Thats' why cycling has caught quite a few dopers. Again, I'm not Lance Armstrong, but I don't know how someone can dope and not be caught if he's tested like this. Cycling has a history of doping since the first year of the Tour -- they would take arsenic, among other things. Because of this reputation and several deaths, the cycling world body is really strict.

Per the French investigation: many rival cycling officials and organizers loathe him,a nd would do ANYTHING to catch him. They go through his trash.

[Avalux]

9. OMG - first black smoke, now this!

The world must be coming to an end. :rofl:

[Catherine Vincent]

11. I was wondering why I got a breaking news alert

that said Lance Armstrong is retiring. Whoop de doo!

[Renew Deal]

14. There are some real haters hanging out here.

[Catherine Vincent]

26. Not me!

[Binka]

33. Haters? WTF Are You Blathering About?

The OP has nothing to do with hate it is just a post. Now YOU seem to have a problem with some folks who question Lance but this hating label is quite bizarre. As a former world class runner who got breast cancer and had her career cut short I suspect Lance was on some juice. Have you ever competed on a world class level in any sport?

If not I would say shove your hating philosophy up your arse. You are talking shit.

If so PM me with your times and events (if you ever competed in this league of play) and want to compare notes.

Cheers!

[Renew Deal]

34. Allow me to explain.

There must be a misunderstanding. I don't think the original poster is hating anyone or anything. I posted it here instead of confronting the many haters head on, but I don't have a problem doing that.

There are some people that are player hating (please excuse the slang, but it describes it so well). They hate that he's succesful. They hate that he's the best ever. That's OK with me.

You suspect he is on juice. How would you know? Have any proof? Have you used the stuff? If so, please PM me and let me know what and when.

If not I would say shove your juice philosophy up your arse. You are talking shit.

Best wishes

[Binka]

35. Sorry. Your Response Is So Lame So Amateur You Are On Ignore.

Cheers!

[Renew Deal]

36. lol

Can't argue the point so ignore it. OK

[Sparkle]

40. LOL!

Thanks for the laugh guys!:-)

[FreedomAngel82]

16. I'm surprised

My dad is a big fan so I'll have to tell him.

[StuckinBFE]

17. Lance is the man, I hope he wins this year

but if not Lance then I want Levi (I know his cousin, granted he has lots of cousins).

I do think Lance is the man but I wouldn't say he is the best cyclist ever.

[FreedomAngel82]

18. I'm not a huge bike fan

but my dad never misses the France tour. I hope he runs in 2005 and it'd be cool if he wins the last time. It will be weird without him though.

[Lab2112]

22. RE: Breaking on CNN website! Lance Armstrong retires...

I wonder if Lance if this retirement is final, or if he'll have a comeback similar to Michael Jordan's?

On verra!

LAB

[FreedomAngel82]

24. LOL

I just don't wanna see Armstrong playing baseball. I saw Jordan and oy.

[elfin]

29. He had the most curable type of cancer a guy could get

even if it spreads. He parlayed that into "beating the odds with faith and grit" story that leaves a friend of mine who had the EXACT same thing in stitches. Mind you, it is no piece of cake - but his life was not as threatened as they made it out to be. Also, he probably has had a little "help" from the pharm industry for either blood packing or quasi-steroid stuff which is wideloy rumored, but not definitevely proved.

Not a "hero" in my book - especially since he is a fan of Dumbya's.

[LostinVA]

32. He definitely didn't have the most curable type of cancer

Testicular cancer is readily cured, unless it's spread to your lymph nodes, lungs, and brain. He had basically a zero chance of living. Lance Armstrong's survival of cancer is incredible, and coming from that and winning like he has is beyond incredible.

I'm not a huge sports fan, but I admire him, especially since he's given so much back to the cancer community -- time and money. I have never understood why people dislike him so.

[MADem]

42. Like that Tom Green!!!!!

No one thinks he's a hero, though...and he lost Drew Barrymore....!

Guess he shoulda gotten a bike and a yaller shirt!

[RPM]

37. BFD - he's a dick

beat cancer, trade in your wife, shill yellow psuedo-fascist armbands to idiots.

Eff Him.

[AnnitaR]

45. FWIW - he wasn't married when he had cancer.

I couldn't care less about the guy. But his mom was the one who was there for him during his treatment. He met is wife after.