FanNation - The Republic of Sport

Would have a lot of repect for Paul Kimmage as a writer and former Irish pro cyclist but his remarks about, "the cancer (being Armstrong) has returned after four years in remission" was inconsiderate, hurtful and shameful.

Paul Kimmage is better than such remarks - What an inconsiderate thing to say...Put money Kimmage regrets his remarks.

If you listen to (or read) Paul Kimmage's original commentary regarding Lance's return, you'll see that the cancer remarks were a small part of the message, and really just a rhetorical flourish designed to create a powerful conclusion. While it may have been insensitive, Armstrong did a massive decontextualization in his press conference, implying Kimmage's message was chiefly about that. However, I don't want to come too much to Kimmage's defense, as I think he overstates the certainty of some of his conclusions (regarding LAs and others drug use) and seems to have no regard for due process, civil liberty or general fair play. Suggesting that ASO ban Armstrong from the Tour on the basis of clearly unverifiable testing from a decade ago (as damaging as it is to LAs reputation it has no legal footing) is sheer puffery; Kimmage clearly is saying the bombastic thing in attempt to make waves.

Kimmage has made a name for himself by bad-mouthing cyclists and constantly rising the specter of drug use by these athletes. This is the same routine as the french press uses as well. Fan the fires of doubt and increase readership and fame. Papers sell on controversy. Meanwhile, cyclists HAVE to play hardball to keep their name from being smeared. Every one who has made such drug use claims always makes money and/or fame from those claims. The facts are that if Armstrong had failed a drug test, he would be kicked. But he has not failed a test and he is tested many times.

This whole thing has much in common with big-foot stories or UFOs. There are those that believe even though there is no real proof of either. Yet that doesn't stop people like Kimmage from speaking as though every one knows better. Well, I don't believe in big-foot, UFOs, or Lance Armstrong's drug use during his past cycling career. I'll gladly change my view if proof arises, but until that time, I'm not going to assume these things exist.

Of course, Armstrong is to cycling like Tiger Woods is to golf. Both are quality competitors and they bring in the fans. Organizers and sponsors love them for this reason. The result is, of course, is fatigue for those who follow the sport, but that is the fault of the press. LA and Tiger have NO control on that issue.

In summary, Kimmage is chicken little, rising his own image while simply repeating the same baseless claims while LA continues to bring great exposure to cycling to the average fan.