In 1998, when Mark McGuire and Sammy Sosa used performance enhancing steroids to fuel their assault on historic homerun records, few realized just how deeply their offense would cut into the fabric of organized sports. Following each muscle-bound slugger's lead, other players began steroid regimens of their own, and soon thereafter, eviscerated the soul of the game by rendering hallowed records meaningless.

Nowadays, most know that performance-enhancing drugs exist at the highest and lowest levels of modern sport, and most everyone seems to accept it. Few seemed surprised when all-time homerun king, Barry Bonds admitted to steroid use under oath, and even less seemed disappointed or concerned when Manny Pacquiao refused blood tests meant to rule out steroid use prior to a potential bout with Floyd Mayweather, because the fighter claimed to be afraid of needles.

In today's society, it seems inevitable that anyone who achieves greatness in the sports world is automatically suspected of drug use; and most seem to accept it as par for the course. That is unless the course is being ridden by one of the most inspirational sports figure in America: bicyclist Lance Armstrong. When French authorities and former teammates accused the 7-time Tour De France Champion of relying on performance enhancers to better his opponents, most Americans decried the attacks as jealous speculation.

Seemingly immune to the same reckless domestic accusations cast wildly at other American athletes who seem to physically exceed what appears to be normal achievement, Armstrong vehemently protested the reports and defended his innocence; and most Americans chose to believe him. A survivor of testicular cancer, Armstrong inspired many and seemed the only athlete propped above the growing mob of drug using athletes.

Now, with reports of an organized, large-scale Federal doping investigation aimed at Armstrong, it appears the cancer-surviving bicyclist may have been no better than any of the others. If the government's assertions prove true, many will feel betrayed and heartbroken; and most will likely view all future individual achievements in sports with a doubtful eye.

 

-          Ryan Lawrence