The world needs its heros.

[andyaus]

The world needs it’s heros.

We all have our personal heros and it is no surprise that many of them play team sports. Basketball, baseball, football and cricket all have individuals who excel in their sport but I like the individuals who take on the world.

Recently, Tiger Woods has fallen from grace and been hounded by the world press. I doubt anyone will challenge his credentials as the best Golfer in the world in the last 20 years. We all know that it wasn’t his golf club that got him into trouble and as a golfer I can tell you I don’t care about his after golf activities.

Now we are seeing Lance Armstrong being demonised by the world press. He has won the hardest bike race in the world a record seven times. He has NEVER tested positive for any performance enhancing drugs but some critics have hounded him claiming he was too good and must have been taking drugs. Now I don’t know or care about the past. If he took advantage but never got caught then don’t blame him.

He has retired, he has set targets for young cyclists for years to come. There is no physical evidence that he took drugs and only accusations from people like Floyd Landis (who admits to taking drugs)

 

He is now being asked to prove he didn’t use drugs. The onus is on the cycling association to prove he did. Now that he is saying that he won’t participate they are claiming that this proves he is a cheat. It doesn’t prove a thing. It is up to the association to prove their claims or shut up and leave him alone. All this BS is hurting the sport and is so unnecessary.

 

 

I have other sporting heros who deserved to be remembered.

 

Walter Lindrum is the only sportsman I have heard of who forced the establishment to change the RULES so someone could beat him. His record break of 4,132 was made from 1,900 consecutive scoring shots in 2 hours 55 minutes.

 

 

Jahangir Khan was unbeaten over 5 years at the top of his sport. He won 555 straight games of squash winning 6 world championships on the way.

 

 

Michael Phelps with 22 Olympic medals is unlikely to be equalled in the world of swimming. We haven’t made enough fuss out of his achievements. We just expect him to win.

 

Who are your heros?

[crossfield]

I raced horses late 80s though the 90s....I was competing against a select few trainers that could get a horse from nowhere have it a week turn it into something that was unstopable and obviously not feeling a thing ( as in pain ) during a race....and then after a month tbe horse would be finished and on its way to the kackery.....it was clear they were on something but it wasnt being picked up by drug tests.....these guys were not good horse trainers they were drug cheats who found at way to beat the system....much like your eastern european athlete of the 70s and 80s....Lance Armstrong is on the same level as these guys in my eyes...and the French have been on to him from day one....

 

On the other hand if Roger Federer isnt someone to respect and admire then no one is

Edited August 25, 2012 by crossfield

[whitespider - RIP]

All time here has to be this guy. In 2000 he was voted sportsman of the century with more votes than al the others added together.

 

 

Others on my list worldwide

 

Rossi (Moto GP)

Ayrton Senna - i was lucky enough to meet him as my uncle was a partner with Ron Dennis (not in McLaren) and managed Senna when he was a young driver, pre F1.

 

 

My personal hero when i was young was the guy below. For all the talk about Pele vs Maradonna he and Cruyff were the best I actually got to see. Should have been the god of Pattaya Lovers I reckon for his most famous quote. When asked how he had managed to spend his entire fortune (not inconsiderable in thoise days) he replied "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

 

[Hellbender]

Lance Armstrong will be still a hero & inspiration for many, we can take his medal but not his glory. Complete disgrace the way he was treated.

 

The subject is quite right, we do need more hero's & leaders in political arena. Only great leaders can bring changes for good.

 

I agree with Whitespider what Ali did in those days majority couldn't even dream off, a true sporting legend

 

Edited August 25, 2012 by Hellbender

[crossfield]

Ali is maybe top of the list as an athlete

 

Jackie Robinson fits the bill as a genuine hero on and off the field

[Kenjataimu]

The world needs it’s heros.

We all have our personal heros and it is no surprise that many of them play team sports. fuss out of his achievements.

I am not trying to start an argument but I find it sad that people who excel in Sport are labelled heroes.

 

Do you know the name of the guy who in developed the polio vaccine for example?

 

Sure i admire sportsmen for excelling, but I know a fitter&turner who is an incredibly gifted tradesmen, I admire him more for adding to society then any sportsmen I can think of. I don't understand the whole spectating a bunch of strangers thing anyway.

[andyaus]

All time here has to be this guy. In 2000 he was voted sportsman of the century with more votes than al the others added together.

 

 

Others on my list worldwide

 

Rossi (Moto GP)

Ayrton Senna - i was lucky enough to meet him as my uncle was a partner with Ron Dennis (not in McLaren) and managed Senna when he was a young driver, pre F1.

 

 

My personal hero when i was young was the guy below. For all the talk about Pele vs Maradonna he and Cruyff were the best I actually got to see. Should have been the god of Pattaya Lovers I reckon for his most famous quote. When asked how he had managed to spend his entire fortune (not inconsiderable in thoise days) he replied "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

 

 

I will give you Muhammad Ali..... I have watched all his fights several times and you have to be impressed.

 

Ayrton Senna was obviously good but Michael Schumacher has a better record and lived. Still meeting these guys makes a difference.

 

George Best is a sad memory. I’m not a soccer fan so I remember him as a drunk who wasted his success in bars. He drank himself to death and tarnished his past achievements

[andy666]

It is difficult to compare sportsmen from different disciplines and times but Mohammed Ali and Eddy Merckx are 1 and 2 on my list.

[monkey01]

All time here has to be this guy. In 2000 he was voted sportsman of the century with more votes than al the others added together.

 

 

Others on my list worldwide

 

Rossi (Moto GP)

Ayrton Senna - i was lucky enough to meet him as my uncle was a partner with Ron Dennis (not in McLaren) and managed Senna when he was a young driver, pre F1.

 

 

My personal hero when i was young was the guy below. For all the talk about Pele vs Maradonna he and Cruyff were the best I actually got to see. Should have been the god of Pattaya Lovers I reckon for his most famous quote. When asked how he had managed to spend his entire fortune (not inconsiderable in thoise days) he replied "I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered."

 

Ali was a one of as hunter thompson said "Ali never changed the world but he came as close as anyone"

Senna great driver but done huge amount behind the scenes for other drivers

[mikeyboy]

2 standouts for me in the world of sport , Ali a true sporting/social giant and Seve Ballesteros for his charisma and flair transended sport .

 

Mikeyboy

Edited August 25, 2012 by mikeyboy

[mikeyboy]

I am not trying to start an argument but I find it sad that people who excel in Sport are labelled heroes.

 

Do you know the name of the guy who in developed the polio vaccine for example?

 

Sure i admire sportsmen for excelling, but I know a fitter&turner who is an incredibly gifted tradesmen, I admire him more for adding to society then any sportsmen I can think of. I don't understand the whole spectating a bunch of strangers thing anyway.

 

Understand where you are coming from , but sporting competition throws up "heroes" and gives people hopes and aspirations .

 

Mikeyboy

[andyaus]

I am not trying to start an argument but I find it sad that people who excel in Sport are labelled heroes.

ccine

Do you know the name of the guy who in developed the polio vaccine for example?

 

Sure i admire sportsmen for excelling, but I know a fitter&turner who is an incredibly gifted tradesmen, I admire him more for adding to society then any sportsmen I can think of. I don't understand the whole spectating a bunch of strangers thing anyway.

 

Yes I do know the name of the guy who developed the polio vaccine and I admire his achievements. Although Jonas Salk developed the vaccine it was the work of Thomas Weller accidentally growing Polio cultures a few years earlier that allowed the research and developing the vaccines. So who is the hero or do we simply classify all people working towards things that improve humanity as heros.

 

Truth is that Hero can be applied in many ways and all are correct.

 

When I use the term Hero I am referring to those individuals that compete and excel on the world stage. Someone we look up to and admire. Perhaps you would be happier with the word champion. During the great depression the Australian people looked to these “champions” to lift their spirits and from what I have read and seen in the newsreels our sporting heros kept the spirits high during some dark times.

[squared]

It was probably impossible to catch Armstrong doping because he rode the TDF only, and stopping to dope a week before the event makes it undedectable. That was before routine controls during the training were introduced. However, the bizarre outcome is that the second guy on the first pic, Jan Ullrich, becomes the most successful TDF rider at 5 victories, once on his own, four times second to Armstrong. He was forced to retire when his doping was finally detected.

 

Talking about cycling, the Vuelta a Espana is on Eurosport every night, for two more weeks. The new British national treasure Wiggins isn't there, would have no chance anyway. Mountains all over the place. His lieutenant Froome is there, who might have won the TDF himself a month ago, if he didn't have to drag Wiggins all the way. Faces the best climbers of the world, Contador, Rodriguez, Valverde, who weren't at the TDF. So far an exciting race way better than the TDF, and all the 4 favourites are within 50 seconds after week 1. Today, Froome broke against the Spaniards and lost a little time.

[metter2009]

Being raised in Northern Minnesota, near the Canadian Border.

 

The 1980 USA Gold Medal Hockey Team. ( The Miracle on Ice). Is probably closest to my heart.

 

Number 2 would probably have to be Dale Earnhardt. IMO a true grass roots hero.

[tony113]

The only loser, in the case of lance armstrong, is the sport of cycling, What happened to innocent until proven guilty.

With no evidence, surely they bring the sport in to disrepute themselves.

[Highlander]

Eddie The Eagle

 

 

Sorry I couldn't resist it LOL

[M.C.H.]

IMO a really true champion was Sir Francis Chichester who in 1966 at the age of 64 sailed his yacht the 53ft Gypsy Moth IV single handed around the world breaking many records at the time.

andyaus

Think Schumacher is showing his real driving skills now as he is no longer Ferraris baby with Irvine riding shotgun for him, Senna was in a different league

[murtle71]

Ron Jemery is my all time hero....

He gets to do what i always wanted and gets paid for it.....

[crossfield]

Ron Jemery is my all time hero....

He gets to do what i always wanted and gets paid for it.....

 

And is living proof looks aren't everything..

[altec123]

It was probably impossible to catch Armstrong doping because he rode the TDF only, and stopping to dope a week before the event makes it undedectable. T

 

Armstrong road in other races throughout the cycling season and not only the TDF. Also, the doping police us to show up at his home unannounced during the off-season all during his career to draw blood. Armstrong was a great bike racer. Many people do not realize that he was an excellent classics racer before he under went cancer treatment. The reason he was able to win in the Tour was because of his cancer, which caused him to loose muscle mass. He was able to climb better because he was lighter. Anyway, the doping police are way out of control and there is no way he would get a fair shake in his arbitration with the USADA. Interesting to read the judge's comments in Armstrong's case against the USADA. Although the case was dismissed for legal reasons, the judge had serious reservations about the USADA's motives as well as Armstrong getting a fair hearing.

[andyaus]

I raced horses late 80s though the 90s....I was competing against a select few trainers that could get a horse from nowhere have it a week turn it into something that was unstopable and obviously not feeling a thing ( as in pain ) during a race....and then after a month tbe horse would be finished and on its way to the kackery.....it was clear they were on something but it wasnt being picked up by drug tests.....these guys were not good horse trainers they were drug cheats who found at way to beat the system....much like your eastern european athlete of the 70s and 80s....Lance Armstrong is on the same level as these guys in my eyes...and the French have been on to him from day one....

 

On the other hand if Roger Federer isnt someone to respect and admire then no one is

 

OK so you are saying that Lance Armstrong has been a drug cheat for all of is career and he just worked out how to beat the system? You might be right but what have you base your evidence on...Is it just that he was so good?.... He claims that his team worked out tactics on how to win which gave them an advantage. I believe that everyone in cycling looks for every advantage they can find. Its a fine line between taking extra vitamins and taking drugs.

[sinbad5]

IMO a really true champion was Sir Francis Chichester who in 1966 at the age of 64 sailed his yacht the 53ft Gypsy Moth IV single handed around the world breaking many records at the time.

andyaus

Think Schumacher is showing his real driving skills now as he is no longer Ferraris baby with Irvine riding shotgun for him, Senna was in a different league

 

Pfft nothing a snaggled toothed 16 year old Aussie girl can't do...

 

 

OK so you are saying that Lance Armstrong has been a drug cheat for all of is career and he just worked out how to beat the system? You might be right but what have you base your evidence on...Is it just that he was so good?.... He claims that his team worked out tactics on how to win which gave them an advantage. I believe that everyone in cycling looks for every advantage they can find. Its a fine line between taking extra vitamins and taking drugs.

 

If some are to be believed USADA has a dozen sworn statements, including from team mates. Not going to arbitration means Armstrong never has to confront these statements. That's what some say.

 

In any case, I think he is an extraordinary athlete and I don't see the point of pursuing people in retirement - cycling was 90% dirty back then.

 

Re testing, remember Marion Jones never tested positive either.

Edited August 26, 2012 by sinbad5

[squared]

The other famous Armstrong died yesterday. Now what were the odds they would both make unsettling headlines on the same day?

[Harry Brown]

Yes I do know the name of the guy who developed the polio vaccine and I admire his achievements. Although Jonas Salk developed the vaccine it was the work of Thomas Weller accidentally growing Polio cultures a few years earlier that allowed the research and developing the vaccines. So who is the hero or do we simply classify all people working towards things that improve humanity as heros.

 

Truth is that Hero can be applied in many ways and all are correct.

 

When I use the term Hero I am referring to those individuals that compete and excel on the world stage. Someone we look up to and admire. Perhaps you would be happier with the word champion. During the great depression the Australian people looked to these “champions” to lift their spirits and from what I have read and seen in the newsreels our sporting heros kept the spirits high during some dark times.

 

Yes much happier my friend.

[crossfield]

 

OK so you are saying that Lance Armstrong has been a drug cheat for all of is career and he just worked out how to beat the system? You might be right but what have you base your evidence on...Is it just that he was so good?.... He claims that his team worked out tactics on how to win which gave them an advantage. I believe that everyone in cycling looks for every advantage they can find. Its a fine line between taking extra vitamins and taking drugs.

 

My issue with Lance is he stopped fighting as soon as it got to the stage that the evidence against him was to be tabled....thus preventing it from being tabled....up until it reached this stage he was fighting it tooth and nail....I dont believe he woke up one morning this week and thought to himself this is to hard...I believe he looked at his options and realised he had to face the tribunal and tell the truth, or lie and risk going to jail as Marion Jones did...or walk away claiming a witch hunt got the better of him and have maybe half the public opinion backing him up.....thinking thats easier to live with..he had to fight to the end and tell the truth and by doing that you could argue he was only doing what everyone else was maybe, instead he choose to make a very weak call to stop the truth being told....