After all of the stuff happening in the cycling world these days it definitely reminds me that the most important thing is to do what’s right. ALWAYS! Now doing what right, sceptics will say is subjective, but I tend to think it’s largely black and white.
Think back to when you were a kid and everything was right or wrong. Helping others – right. Harming others – wrong. Paying for everything – right. Stealing – wrong. Competing to the best of your physical and mental ability – right. Doing drugs to enhance your physical or mental abilities – wrong. You get it. If we all used these simple rules in every decision we made every day, it’d make things so much easier.
Borrowed from http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/10/30/health/book.1.450.jpg
Unfortunately things like greed, money, fame and recognition all muddy the waters when we’re making decisions on right and wrong. If I can be 5% faster, I can get the big contract. Unfortunately things like greed, money, fame and recognition are all after effects of our democratic and free world. If I can get the big contract, I will have lots of money and stuff and everyone will love me. Unfortunately things like greed, money, fame and recognition can be acquired using short cuts, or by “bending” the rules. If I do it this once, everything will be okay.
Christophe Bassons should be heralded for doing what’s right. He was one of the VERY FEW riders during the 90′s who did not use performance enhancing drugs. Unfortunately, due to peer pressure and not being able to keep up with the EPO laden peloton he quit cycling. However, even though he might not have had the fame and fortune that he might have had if he did decide to dope he probably feels 100% more authentic and 100% more real than many of the decades dopers.
We’re only seeing the tip of the iceberg now as a result of the USADA report. It will be interesting to see how things go from here. Unfortunately for Lance Armstrong - Karma is a bitch!