Rob Cummins in triathlon action in the colours of his own www.wheelworx.ie business; he has mixed feelings about the legacy of Lance Armstrong; currently banned for life but with a reduced ban mooted in exchange for information on doping.
Having been inspired into the sport if cycling and then triathlon by Lance Armstrong, well known triathlete Rob Cummins still admires aspects of the American's legacy but believes any future return by him to triathlon would damage the sport more than enhance it.
I was a Lance Armstrong fan before I knew anything about cycling. Lance made me a bike racing fan. I read all of his books, watched all of his Tour victories and his comeback.
I went to the Tour de France and stood on the side of the road and roared support at him in the Alps and Pyrenees.
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I felt privileged to be alive and witnessing someone so incredible make sporting history, and to be right there. I was close enough to reach out and touch him.
Reading his first book taught me lessons that I still live by. He changed me as a person and his story and work fighting against cancer changed many peoples’ lives.
I stood up and defended him right to the end. I argued his innocence; fighting against what he called the Trolls and doubters. To this day I still have one of his signed yellow jerseys hanging in my bike store.
I discovered triathlon and developed a love for it and for all it stands for; health, fitness, discipline and a lifestyle unlike any other.
When he returned to triathlon after retiring from cycling I thought it was one of the most exciting things that could happen to our sport and I was racing in Kona the year he came back.
Imagine getting to stand on the start line with one of the greatest sporting legends of my lifetime; my own biggest sporting hero.
Ironman allows us ordinary athletes the privilege of racing on the same courses with the pros and the legends of our sport. But due to the ongoing doping investigation, Ironman didn’t allow him race.
So there would be no Lance in Kona; no chance to start alongside him and race on the same course with him.
I was angry that he was still being persecuted despite never having been found guilty. Again I argued his innocence. I wouldn’t give in to the doubters.
I thought Ironman chief executive Andrew Messick was wrong but it turns out he made the right decision because then he came clean.
It’s hard to describe the huge feelings of loss, disappointment, betrayal and anger. Not to mention how stupid and gullible I felt at believing in him and standing up in his defence.
Armstrong was bigger than cycling. He showed and shared our passion for this beautiful and epic sport with the world. Cycling grew with him. Companies grew on the back of his success.
Like all superstars, when he was the golden boy he was surrounded on all sides. Everyone wanted a piece of him. But he was alone in his wrongdoing.
Maybe he was the worst but he was not the first and was certainly not the only one taking performance enhancing drugs.
Yet he’s been ostracised and punished in a way that no one has ever been before; his victories struck from the record books like he ,or they, never existed.
I’ve long been a proponent of lifetime bans for drug cheats. A two-year ban has been shown to be no deterrent.
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It has to be the same rules for all. One person shouldn’t be made carry responsibility for all of the sport’s mistakes regardless of how big a part he played.
He’s been punished and has lost more than any other drugs cheat in the history of cycling and I don’t think that’s right.
Do we have the right to ban him for life while no one else suffers the same punishment? I don’t think so.
It can’t be one person singled out while the rest walk free with nothing more than a slap on the wrist or an insignificant ban. It only makes cycling look worse; stained and hypocritical.
The argument has reopened that he could do the same for triathlon and Ironman as he did for cycling. He could open it to a world stage; bring growth, money, publicity.
Debate on the issue has polarised opinion.
Loud voices have been arguing for the money, attention and publicity he would bring. Just as vocal are those who say he will taint our sport and should never be allowed in.
Lance saved lives through his cancer work. He changed lives with his incredible story. Lance inspired people to overcome cancer, illness and hardship.
As flawed and damaged as he is, I still think he is one of the most incredible people alive.
t want it at any price. t think tainting Ironman is worth it.
I think our sport is unique in terms of the lifestyle it promotes and the people involved.
I’m proud at the stance that our top professional athletes have taken against drugs. Both Mirinda Carfrae and Chrissie Wellington - two of the highest profile Ironman triathletes - have both said no to his return.
I have no doubt if cycling had done the same it most likely wouldn’t be in the mess it is in now.
I admit I still get excited at the thought of seeing Lance racing again but I don’t want him to bring what is now all of his baggage to our sport.
I also believe that the effect of doping doesn’t stop the day you become clean. It lasts for years and that means it’s never a level and fair playing field.
I know that if he returned as an age grouper instead of a pro that I would be racing against him as we are in the same age group. I would resent the fact of being beaten by a self confessed doper.
Not that I would put myself anywhere near the same class as him clean or dirty. He was beating world class athletes in his teens before I believe he doped. But I still wouldn’t want him finishing in front of me.
Why would any clean Ironman Pro feel differently?
I’m slowly realising and accepting that despite the revelations and disappointment I’m still a fan. And while a huge part of me would love to see him race again I think what I really want back is the hero I’ve lost.
Seeing Lance race in Kona won’t do that. It’s time for new heroes. Clean ones.
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