Will Lance Armstrong be "tarnished" if he doesn't win?
 

I am just curious as to what will happen if Armstrong doesn't win the Tour de France this year. He has been having a very difficult race and is just barely leading, so it is conceivable that he may not win. Does anyone think that this would destroy his name in the U.S. ? I don't personally think so, but traditionally, second place is not very well received here in the U.S. Take the Buffalo Bills for example. They dominated the AFC for years, but lost 4 straight Super Bowls. I think that most fans would consider them to be a joke, perhaps even losers. I believe that this is unfair, but it seems to be the reality. Micheal Jordan won 6 NBA championships but most people think that he has ruined his legacy by playing at a lower level for the Wizards. So is it better to go out on top, or try for one last moment of glory and fail?

It's much better to go out on top.

Jordan should have never played baseball and never come back to basketball in a player role.

no, I don't think so, but he won't seem quite so godlike.

If popular sentiment goes against Armstrng because he comes in second then America will need its collective head examined...

Look at the guys track record and accomplishments.

Armstrong doesn't get half the credit he deserves already.. so no.. if he comes in second he won't be tarnished but he may be forgotten..at least until he wins the next one ;)

America likes winners. No matter the result in this Tour, Armstrong is definitely a winner.

Was Babe Ruth tarnished by his final at bat in the Bigs?

America does not really care about the Tour. If we did, OLN would not be the network covering the event. I don't think his popularity will go down any if he loses. Those people that watch, will continue to think the man is incredible. Those who are only upset that the USPS sponsors a team in Europe won't care about Lance. I hope he wins this and the next tour.

Is it "tarnished"? Who gives a crap? Let him ride as much as he wants, he's already tied for the most consecutive titles in the Tour de France (I think), so he's already set his place in history. If he wants to ride, he should. The last thing he should do in his life now is listen to people because they might think less of him if he doesn't finish first.

I sure hope not, he has won 4 in a row, not to mention having to deal with cancer before that. What he has done already is amazing.

Certainly winning 5 straight will put him up there as one of the top 3 ever. I'd really like to see him back next year to go for a 6th straight.

I read something a few years ago where he said he wasn't going to do more than 3 tours (basically retire two years ago). This was mainly so he could spend time with his wife and kids. However, I think I read something that said earlier this year, he and his wife had split. So maybe Lance will be back to try again next year.

2nd place or not Lance shouldn't have to hang his head when he comes home and people shouldn't act like he should if he doesn't win first place. Just think about how hard that race is in the first place plus all the things he's been through. BTW isn't the up coming part of the race the hardest part??

He is a testimate to overcoming a great deal of stuff to win the 4 he has already won, he is not tarnished if he does not win.