He’s back.
Lance Armstrong is going for his eighth Tour de France title – this time after a three-and-a-half year retirement.
Can he do it again? And do people care if he does? We’re taking a look at what people are saying about the 37-year-old American cyclist’s return to the wheels.
First, let’s take a look at his hometown of Austin, Texas. KVUE camps out at a downtown bar to monitor Austin residents rise up early to watch the tournament live during a charity breakfast party …
“‘Seeing him come back is just awesome. It’s really great to be able to have this kind of quintessential Austin experience to watch him on the screen, have a little food and hang out.’ Dozens showed up Tuesday morning to watch Armstrong ride out retirement in the tour’s first team trial… Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation is getting all of the proceeds from Tuesday morning watch party.”
The Times of London columnist Matt Dickinson looks at the tournament itself and says Armstrong’s comeback could spark the race’s popularity.
“Love him or hate him, celebrate his return or wish he had stayed away, his comeback to the Tour at the age of 37 will guarantee global interest at a time when the event has been doped within an inch of its life.”
Slate’s Bill Gifford also keeps an eye on Armstrong’s return but from a different perspective. In the article dubbed “JerkStrong,” he compares the cyclist’s action to maneuvering of politicians like Alaska governor Sarah Palin and criticizes his performance in the Tour’s early stages.
“If Armstrong had gotten the yellow—no matter that he stepped on his teammate’s back to get it—it would have marked a triumphal completion of his comeback, finishing the self-created narrative arc upon which every successful politician builds his career.”
Finally, UK’s The Daily Telegraph looks beyond the controversies and just tells him to go for it.
“If he does well it's mission accomplished, but if Alberto Contador [his teammate] is just too strong he can win plaudits riding in support. If all goes wrong, well what did you expect from a 37-year-old who broke his collar bone three months ago?”
So do you think Lance Armstrong’s return is more about his sports or his legacy?
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