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05/31/2006: "Something to Believe In"

I'm a sports guy. I love most sports, and the ones I don't love I still like. I love the subtle nuances of sports, and digging into the details to really understand them (Aussie rules footie aside - no one really understands those rules!). I've never been much of an athlete, but I do have a soft spot for golf and cycling, as those are two sports I can understand as someone who has participated in them.

As someone who has followed a lot of sports, I understand that sports is not a place to find heroes. It is not a place for your kids to find role models. These are entertainers, folks who often chose their sport over their education and, while rich in money, can be penniless in character.

There are exceptions, of course. At the head of the list is Lance Armstrong, the once-brash Texan who got kicked in the balls by cancer (literally) only to come back a stronger - and humbler - individual. You all know the story - decent rider before cancer, epic rider after. Retires after a mind-boggling seven consecutive Tour de France victories to become an advocate for cancer survivors. Practically invented a new business model with those yellow bracelets (one of which is on my left wrist as I write this).

Of course, not everyone is a LA fan. Armstrong wasn't even on the plane back to Austin last July before the organizers of Le Tour pushed the anti-doping police to open an investigation into his first victory in 1999. Why 1999 and not any of the races after? Because 1999 was before the strict drug testing on the tour - testing which Lance passed every time.

The point in all of this? Today, the third-party investigators brought in to look at the allegations cleared Lance of all suspicion. Not only did they clear Lance, but they recommended that a criminal investigation be launched against those who initially brought the claims.

I gotta tell you - I had faith in Lance. He's not Barry Bonds or any of those spoiled athletes looking for an artificial edge. He has those seven jerseys because he earned them using the only advantages he needed - his brain, his muscles, and his heart.

Vive' Lance!