Cheating

Big news in the Tour today... it was a rest day so you weren't expecting anything. Vino... Vinokourov... pre-race favorite, fallen warrior, reborn hero... a cheat. He tested positive for having someone elses blood in his system after his win at the time trial... WTF!

He wins the stage he knows he will be tested... He wins another stage and has the audacity to throw his fist in triumph. Give me a break.

I don't get it? How can you look at yourself in the mirror? How could you look your competitors in the eye? How could you talk to your friends and family, those that support you and not die inside. That kid who bought his jersey what is he thinking now. As a parent how do you tell you son that his hero... cheated.

Of course there is a double standard here. All my co-workers will watch ESPN tonight and here the story and bring it up tomorrow. Then go on talking about American Football and Baseball... like those sports aren't dirty. Just laws protect the players here. They are just as dirty I can't believe Barry Bonds is still swinging a bat.

The sad thing is the message it sends. Win... win at all costs. The ends justify the means. They say sports reflect the society and in this I can believe it. What other aspects of our world is that the mantra... win... win at all costs. The sad truth is all aspects.

But I am an optimist. I do believe it is the minority. That most men and women are good, don't cheat and in sports (and all things held in high standards in their life) they do follow the rules and want the honest competition. To compete, win or lose, fairly and feel good about themselves.

Look in the mirror and I hope you like what you see.