Will Lance Armstrong be "tarnished" if he doesn't win? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

grayman · 07-23-2003, 12:30 PM

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?

MadShinji · 07-23-2003, 02:03 PM

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.

Slims · 07-23-2003, 02:04 PM

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

Charlatan · 07-23-2003, 02:10 PM

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.

Glory's Sun · 07-23-2003, 03:27 PM

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

tarheelz · 07-23-2003, 06:22 PM

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?

XXXs · 07-23-2003, 08:17 PM

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.

BigGov · 07-23-2003, 09:52 PM

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.

SysteMatiC · 07-24-2003, 02:53 PM

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.

wally · 07-24-2003, 03:10 PM

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.

Prophecy · 07-24-2003, 05:52 PM

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??

Brian Fellows · 07-24-2003, 07:27 PM

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.

07-23-2003, 12:30 PM	#1 (permalink)
grayman you can't see me Location: Illinois	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? __________________ That's right - I'm a guy in a suit eating a Blizzard. F U.

07-23-2003, 02:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Slims Eccentric insomniac Location: North Carolina	no, I don't think so, but he won't seem quite so godlike. __________________ "Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." - Winston Churchill "All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act out their dream with open eyes, to make it possible." Seven Pillars of Wisdom, T.E. Lawrence

07-23-2003, 02:10 PM	#4 (permalink)
Charlatan Getting it. Super Moderator Location: Lion City	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. __________________ "My hands are on fire. Hands are on fire. Ain't got no more time for all you charlatans and liars." - Old Man Luedecke

07-23-2003, 06:22 PM	#6 (permalink)
tarheelz Upright Location: Chapel Hill	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? __________________ We're not going to some white collar resort prison. No, no, no! We're going to federal POUND ME IN THE ASS prison!

07-23-2003, 09:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
BigGov WoW or Class... Location: UWW	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. __________________ One day an Englishman, a Scotsman, and an Irishman walked into a pub together. They each bought a pint of Guinness. Just as they were about to enjoy their creamy beverage, three flies landed in each of their pints. The Englishman pushed his beer away in disgust. The Scotsman fished the fly out of his beer and continued drinking it, as if nothing had happened. The Irishman, too, picked the fly out of his drink but then held it out over the beer and yelled "SPIT IT OUT, SPIT IT OUT, YOU BASTARD!"

07-23-2003, 02:03 PM	#2 (permalink)
MadShinji Crazy	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.

07-23-2003, 03:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	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

07-23-2003, 08:17 PM	#7 (permalink)
XXXs Upright	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.

07-24-2003, 02:53 PM	#9 (permalink)
SysteMatiC Insane Location: unfortunately not ireland	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. __________________ I have more respect for a man who says what he means, even if he is wrong, then one who acts like an angel, but is nothing but a devil.

07-24-2003, 03:10 PM	#10 (permalink)
wally Crazy	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.

07-24-2003, 05:52 PM	#11 (permalink)
Prophecy Oracle & Apollyon Location: Limbus Patrum	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?? __________________ La Disciplina È La Mia Spada, La Fede È Il Mio Schermo, Non salti Ciecamente In Incertezza, E Potete Raccogliere Le Ricompense.

07-24-2003, 07:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
Brian Fellows Tilted Location: Omaha, Ne	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. __________________ Go Huskers!! Go BEEF!!!!