Let the parades begin! Once Lance returns home to Austin, there will be a big celebration downtown to honor him. I haven't gone in the past, but I think we will take advantage of this last piece of history before his retirement. Although I am sure Sheryl Crow will be seeing (Ugggh!), I think it would be so fitting to play Coldplay's "Yellow." Way to go Lance!

I meant that Sheryl Crow will be "singing."

I thought that John Kerry, when interviewed on OLN, summarized Lance's career well...that Lance truly is in the pantheon of all-time great athletes. I told my ten-year old son, who was fortunate enough to have watched the Tour in the Pyrenees a couple of years ago, that he can tell his grandchildren that he saw one of the greatest athletes ever. In my opinion, with his accomplishments, and the remarkable personal story that Kerry alluded to do with surviving such a significant bout with cancer, Lance ranks up there with the greatest: Ruth, DiMaggio, Ali, Jordan. What an inspiration he has given to all whose lives have been touched by cancer.

Now, what do I do at 9pm every night? Nothing to watch on tv!

Didn't his daughters look gorgeous in their yellow dresses?

Why didn't someone (obviously not me) think of organizing a Fodorite trip to the Tour de France?

One more thing, what an inspiration to moms everywhere Linda is. Massive amounts of kudos to her.

Author: bob_brown ([email protected])
Date: 07/24/2005, 01:05 pm
Well, Lance went, and now he is gone from the Tour de France.
I can make a case for him being among the elite of all athletes. Has anyone been more dominant in his or her sport at the highest level?

Today on oln they interviewed Wayne Gretsky and Tiger Woods for their opinions.

You would think he'd at least do a lap of honour :)

Geordie

"Il restera de l'Américain l'image d'un vainqueur sans partage, un peu en guerre avec tout le monde pour autant qu'on lui résiste, mais qui puise précisément sa force dans l'adversité. Il a dû se battre pour exister en tant qu'enfant oublié par son père, se battre pour survivre au cancer, se battre pour obtenir ses succès et convaincre le monde qu'ils étaient acquis honnêtement. Sa vie jusqu'ici fut donc un combat de chaque instant, il a droit à présent à un peu de quiétude..."

BTilke: Thanks for sharing the excerpt from the Belgian press. I think that the writer captures alot of what makes Lance tick, and does so very poignantly. I thought that Lance's remarks on the podium reflected a bit of his being "en guerre avec tout le monde," as he took aim at detractors of the sport of cycling. Given his past, he has my complete understanding and sympathy, but it almost seemed like he couldn't resist that chance to fire back some.

By the way, MSNBC has a terrific slide show of Lance and the TdF--great photos.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8698947/
(an interview--click on the slide show sidebar)

Definitely one of the all time great athletes. I think we'll be seeing lots more of Lance, albeit not in the Tour de France. However, I think he could do better than Sheryl Crow!

What's wrong with Sheryl Crow? And who would be "better" for him? If the are both crazy about each other, as they themselves admit, why knock the relationship. I wish them well.

Thanks for the MSNBC link, BTilke. Very nice pix.

Armstrong will be a guest on Letterman one week from tonight. (Monday Aug. 1)