Don’t Be a Dope

I’ll go ahead and tell you that this may be one of those messages with which you disagree.

Saw Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, on television and thought about his career.

He was stripped of his wins for doping.

Now, please understand, I’m not condoning doping. Of course, you want a level playing field for all athletes.

But, I gotta tell ya, this guy came back from testicular cancer, from death’s door, and competed — and still competes in terms of life — at the highest levels possible.

Do we throw out William Faulkner or Thomas Wolfe’s great literature because they were drunk while writing? Do we negate all the profits and accomplishments of business people who work while jacked on Red Bull?

In bodybuilding, there are two types of competitions: Open and Natural. At Open contests, athletes are not given drug tests; in Natural contests, they are. The differences in the appearances of the athletes is startling and the athletes and spectators make the choices.

The comparison may seem ridiculous, but at this moment, somewhere in the world, there are special operations forces using a wide variety of performance enhancing medications to stay alert and focused on their missions, and they are doing it to keep you and me safe and free.

I certainly understand the reality, but all of us have bigger issues in life with which to deal.

Go ride a bicycle in protest.