Western States ultrarun keeps Armstrong out
By Blair Anthony Robertson, Sacramento Bee
With news that disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong may have designs on competing in the grueling 100-mile Western States Endurance Run, the race’s board of trustees met Saturday to draft a new policy that makes clear how welcome Armstrong is to enter the race.
Not now. Not ever.
That policy, Performance Rule 18, also could be called the Armstrong Amendment. It essentially bans the ex-cyclist and others like him who have been caught using performance-enhancing drugs from competing in Western States. That race travels over mountainous, heavily wooded terrain from Squaw Valley to Auburn and is considered the most prestigious event in the niche sport of ultrarunning.
This is sad and so politically correct it reeks. So if someone makes a mistake, pays the price they still can’t participate. Yikes no room for redemption here.
Maybe he could start with volunteering at some of these competition, and starting there would help him understand how many were truly hurt by his actions. Would that be so wrong? I don’t think so. I ran long distance as a freshman in HS and carried the torch for a small distance on its way to Tokyo and learned at that time how competitive the world of sports was. How it shaped this man is not unusual, but it did. You can forgive but forgetting is not so easy. I would man a station with him, helping those who fall…….
Lance Armstrong is a cheater and a liar…period
He gets a second chance in my book. It doesn’t erase his misdeeds or anything he has done but you have to move forward.
Well Carl that’s good for you…when he comes to town he gets to sit at your table;)
It would be a great conversation.