Lance Armstrong Retires: Will His Legacy Remain Untainted?

Yesterday, seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong held a press conference.  After a comeback attempt that failed to garner him another trophy in Paris, but did show signs of his age, Armstrong announced his retirement.  This time, he said, it is for good.

"I can't say I have any regrets.  It's been an excellent ride.  I really thought I was going to win another tour," Armstrong said.

The 39-year-old Armstrong has indeed had in life, as he put it, "an excellent ride."  After beating three forms of cancer, he came back to win seven consecutive Tour de France races.  Now, after this comeback attempt, it is time for him to spend time with his family and focus on his charity work.

Yet, there is something else that must be addressed.  For the past five years, Armstrong's victories have been marred in controversy, as a number of people, including former teammate Floyd Landis, have accused him of using performance enhancing drugs.  This includes many of the years in which he won the Tour de France.

On paper, Armstrong seems 100 percent innocent.  He has never tested positive for a banned substance and has repeatedly denied ever using PEDs.  The only "controversial" test on his record occurred in 1999, when a urine sample showed traces of corticosteroid that weren't even in the positive range.  Still, people seem hell-bent on destroying Armstrong's good name.

For those who read my piece on charitable athletes, you know that I ranked Lance Armstrong No. 2 on that list.  Call me crazy, but a man doesn't do that much good work off of his bicycle and then take steroids come race time.  It just doesn't add up.  Armstrong is an honorable man with an inspiring story, and he just doesn't seem like the type who would put all of that at risk just for the sake of a trophy.

On top of that, just the way he has handled these allegations has been commendable.  He hasn't burst into tears like Mark McGwire, nor has he had an angry press conference like fellow Texan, Roger Clemens.  Whenever asked if he used PEDs, he has calmly said no and even poked fun at himself once in saying he was "the most tested athlete in sports."

Now that he is retired, it is seriously time for the press and everyone else to leave Lance Armstrong alone.  He should be allowed to make appearances and spend time with his family in peace.  Simply put, his legacy is one for the ages and should not constantly be questioned.  Until an OFFICIAL report surfaces that he did indeed use steroids or other performance-enhancers during a race, I'm going to take his side and believe that he won those seven Tour de France races honestly.

The only other cyclist who has adamantly said multiple times that Armstrong used PEDs is the aforementioned Floyd Landis, Armstrong's former teammate.  In 2006, Landis appeared to have won the Tour de France at first.  However, he then tested positive for banned substances and was subsequently stripped of his title and disqualified.

Shortly afterward, Landis stated to the press that Armstrong took PEDs on multiple occasions during his Tour de France championship runs.  Honestly, I'm not going to believe a word of what Landis says on this front.  Clearly, he made those statements so that attention could be turned to Armstrong and he would thus not drown in bad publicity.  Too late, Floyd.

When asked about all of the accusations directed at him, specifically ones from fellow cyclists, Armstrong shrugged his shoulders and gave a simple answer.

"It's how cycling operates," Armstrong said.  "There's too much infighting, jealousy and bitterness within the sport, so everybody tries to pick apart a person or spectacular performance.  And some of it we bring on ourselves."

That being said, there is no reason to believe that Lance Armstrong's legacy will ever be tainted.  He has never once tested positive for illegal substances and rarely seeks to be in the spotlight when he isn't racing.  As was said before, he is an honorable man who deserves nothing but our applause and respect for all of his accomplishments.

Thus, it is time to put this "debate" to bed and let him enjoy his retirement.  Good luck, Mr. Armstrong.  You are an inspiration to us all and your cycling shall be missed!