Lance Armstrong - updated.

Here is an article I've just written for www.firstoffthebike.com  I've updated it after the WTC decision just after I posted it.

Is there any more polarising person in sport than Lance Armstrong? Some people love him. Some people hate him. Some people love and hate him at the same time!! His story is powerful and defining...which ever story of his life you choose to pay attention to. Whether it is recovery from cancer, winning seven Tour de France titles, his work with the Lance Armstrong Foundation, or his recent return to triathlons, he grabs and demands attention both on and off the track through strong deeds, and equally strong personality.

This week another entry was made into a less glamorous chapter of his life, that being the one titled Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED). It is perfect storm involving many aspects – and timing – that are conspiring to force this topic into the headlines of mainstream media, a place where the amount of mud thrown around inevitably leads to lasting stains, even on the usually resilient Armstrong.

There are many aspects to this story – his past life as a pro cyclist in an era, and team, tainted with the dark mark of PED convictions. Add to this his “squeaky clean” testing record (although absence of positive tests didn’t save Ullrich, Basso, Valverde, Marion Jones & Tim Montgomery), suggestions there may have be systemic covering up occurring, and more. Then there is the story in the context of his return to triathlons, and most importantly, the implications of the WTC policy preventing anyone under investigation (even if they are yet to be charged – as in the Armstrong case) from competing...even when that person is the mega-star athlete Lance Armstrong, who would, in the absence of the current furore, have brought attention to the sport that money can’t buy. Talk about kicking an own goal...

It is important to point out is that Lance has not been charged, and there is a very important process of investigation and hearing that would need to occur before any sanctions are imposed. So at present, Armstrong is innocent. However, you would think that USADA would only be mounting such a case if they thought it would succeed – they have their own budgets and reputations at stake. Armstrong is also not the only person in the new spotlight, with other former (un named) team members and team staff included in the “notice letter”. The case for investigation has been described well in detail elsewhere.

What this story means for triathlons, though, is huge. Rumours of Lance’s “return to his roots” in triathlon abounded for long before he announced it, and even then it was a huge story when he did announce it. Opinions variously oscillated between seeing it as joke, a PR stunt through to conjecture about how he might actually go. His recent performances have replaced the debate with serious concern from established pros about how well he is going...launching a fascinating war of words and mind games between Lance and Macca, two masters of the activity!!!

The impact of his return to triathlons was bought into focus by a deal struck between WTC (who own Ironman) and Lance, contracting him to compete in a series of IM branded events in return for a significant donation to the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It was a nice case of respective back scratching that would benefit the respective interests of each party. A good business deal.

The season to date has proven what a great asset Lance has become to the sport, not just through his impressive performances and associated publicity, but also the level of professionalism he is bringing to his approach, the focus on race tactics with him in game, and the kick in the pants he has delivered to established pros. He is a serious factor, and anticipation for the ultimate shown-down in Kona in October was heading towards fever pitch, with the floated prospect of live TV coverage being the jewel in the crown. His scheduled IM debut in France on 24th June would cap off an amazing comeback...something Lance specialises in.

But all this may have come undone this week, in large part due to WTC’s own anti-drug policy which has borrowed heavily from cycling, with the effect that, in the words of WTC, “Our rules, as stated in the WTC Professional Athlete Agreement and Waiver, dictate an athlete is ineligible to compete during an open investigation.” Uh-oh. Bad luck Lance.

The thing is, the WTC policy is actually out of line with the WADA code, and policies of virtually all sports under the Olympic and federation system umbrella. In taking the strong position they have, they are killing the golden goose for the sport of triathlon. If Lance were competing on the ITU circuit he would still be able to race, with USA Triathlon issuing the statement “Lance Armstrong is currently still eligible to compete in all USA Triathlon-sanctioned races, with the exception of Ironman events as stated earlier by the World Triathlon Corporation.” WTC are paying the price of being a law unto themselves, and now find themselves in quite a pickle.

It seems that some serious head scratching went on at WTC to find a way out of this hole, with one proposition being to change the WTC policy to permit Lance to race. If it were being done for any other athlete than Lance, this might pass as a footnote, but it’s not and it isn’t, and rightly so. Even though WTC own their own game and associated rules, if they were to change them so they meet their KPIs on a strategic investment called Lance Armstrong, it would reek of something. We should remember that WTC is a business, and Lance is now a valuable asset to them, and they needed to act to protect it.

The ensuing argument ranged from emotional to moral, to legal, to pragmatic and the good of the sport...because after all, triathlon is a minority sport and Lance Armstrong is potentially the person who could single-handedly could lift it a rung or two. WTC was stuck between a rock and hard place, dammed if they do, dammed if they don’t change the rule. Plus, timing was critical since in order for the script to play out as planned Lance would be competing in IM France next weekend. The irony is that, ignoring the circumstances that led to this situation, the rule situation is one that Lance can only be observer to...even though he is the central subject of it all. As always, Lance continues to divide opinion!!

As it has turned out, WTC have stood by their rule, leaving it un-changed, which seals the fate of Lance Armstrong...he will not be racing IM races. It is a huge and bold decision, with Armstrong defendants saying he was hard done by, while Armstrong antagonists (and perhaps some fellow pros) saying that the right decision has been made. WTC have come through it all somewhat bruised, but otherwise alive and kicking.

But where one door closes, another opens...perhaps in the shape of Challenge races. Could Lance now set his sights on Challenge Roth, with all the history it has, or any of a number of other non-IM events on the calendar? Lance has often said he doesn’t need a job, he just needs a challenge...and those words could prove prophetic, and mean that we might not see Lance ride off into the triathlon sunset after all. A week is a long time in sport!!