19 January 2013, 07:05 PM IST
Lance Armstrong story tells us the biggest problem with heroism. It brings in a kind of blindness which is laughable... or ridiculous.
If looked at in proper perspective, the stats almost always hint at some significant things.
Sample this: A year before pulling out of the Tour in between due to his illness, Armstrong finished Tour de France of 1995 in the 36th place. He covered about 3547 kms in 94 hours and 13 minutes. Average speed: 37.65 kms per hour.
Now, in 1999 he 'won' the race of about 3,690 kms for the first time in 91 hours and 32 minutes. Avg speed 40.3 kms per hour.
In normal circumstances, such improvement is extremely tough. And after surviving cancer and missing crucial years of training, was it possible without cheating? But most of us, including me, were blind, too engrossed in either painting heroism or marvelling at it. In the process, we missed naked hints presented by the above improved figures.
Six years later, in 2005, Armstrong did even 'better', covering about 3,592kms in 86 hrs 15 minutes, that's @41.7 kms per hour. Most of us did not even bother to find these figures. Of course, a simpler course, better technique and advanced bikes could have played a part in it. But to this extent? Yes. But only in hindsight. At that time, the legend was growing in our pysche.
Five real greats of subsequent years belong to different sports: Tiger Woods in golf, Roger Federer in tennis, Lionel Messi in soccer, V. Anand in chess and Michael Phelps in swimming. The performance of the first three can't be quantified but the "best part" about Anand and Phelps is this: they have not 'improved' their performance. Anand's Elo rating and world ranking has got a beating while Phelps' winning times at Beijing 2008 were superior as compared to London 2012.
Let's believe all the above mentioned to be normal, fair champions. For, if proven otherwise, sports followers will lose their souls.
Armstrong said that at the time of taking banned drugs, he didn't feel he was cheating because he believed "it was a level-playing field". Of course, it's a weak defence. But since UCI have not awarded Tour de France title to anyone in those seven years (none were deserving, they feel), Armstrong's feelings have more than an iota of truth. That's clearly disturbing for cycling's fight against anti-doping.
On a personal note, I'm disturbed because Tiger Woods and Mike Tyson are dragged into this under a common, vague headline: fall from grace, personality disorders...whatever you like.
Let's get this straight: Woods and Tyson were great sportsmen despite many personal problems and moral tangles. Without evidence or strong indication, no one can question their greatness purely as players.
But Armstrong became a legend with the aid of cheating, and now doesn't own a Tour title. Please, don't put Tiger/Tyson or other celebrities who achieved stardom by fair means in the same boat as Armstrong's. Don't mix blotted achievements, or no achievements, with the personal problems of Woods and Tyson.
Let some legends remain untouched.
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