I’ve seen a number of comments floating around the blogosphere and in various articles written about the Landis case where the person writing the comment or article calls Floyd Landis a coward. Well, let me tell you something. Whether or not you believe him in his quest to clear his name, one thing Floyd Landis is most certainly not is a coward.
Consider:
What kind of person goes on a solo breakaway for virtually the entire race, on one of the hottest days and toughest stages of the toughest bike race in the world? A coward? I think not.
What kind of person does such a thing while riding on a bum hip? A coward? I think not.
What kind of person, facing rumors about a positive doping test, goes before the media and tries to address the issue — even though he doesn’t have any information about exactly what he’s been accused of? A coward? I think not.
When the second test confirms the first, what kind of person chooses to stand up for himself, confident that he didn’t do the thing he’s accused of? A coward? I think not.
When offered an incredibly sweet deal to rat out a fellow cyclist, one whom you have no proof committed a doping offense, what kind of person turns down the deal (knowing full well the cost of fighting his own case) because it would require him to accept punishment for something he didn’t do? A coward? I think not.
When given a chance to have his case heard privately, or to have the hearing in full public view, what kind of person chooses to have his hearing in public? A coward? I think not.
While his lawyers no doubt argued he should keep documentation about the case private, what kind of person puts all of the information he can out on the Internet for all to see? A coward? I think not.
What kind of person is willing to risk financial ruin in order prove he didn’t do what he is accused of doing? A coward? I think not.
You can criticize Landis all you want over how he handled the incident last week involving his friend (and now former business manager) Will Geoghegan. Perhaps he should have fired Will on the spot. Monday-morning quarterbacking is much easier to do than playing the game, itself.
How many of us would have the strength of character to put ourselves through what he’s been through? My guess: Not many.
One thing you can’t call Floyd Landis is a coward. Even if he’s made some mistakes in judgment while living in the fishbowl the last 10 months, the man has shown incredible strength to stand up for himself and what he believes is right. And that takes courage.
I have to support you 100% on this position – Nothing about the ordeal that Floyd is facing shows anything but a tremendous commitment and resolve.
While the view from afar has given a lot of ups and downs as the preparations and early testimony unfold, one of the reasons I think many people continue to support Floyd is his consistent and dogged pursuit of the truth, and his acceptance that while he may still be punished he will not do so without making every attempt to improve the system’s transparency and fairness.
I hope yesterday’s testimony begins to turn the tide on what appears to be a terribly unfortunate miscarriage of justice due to science being turned over to a bureacracy that has their mandate confused.
Floyd is definitely NOT a coward.
He showed courage by going before the press after stage 16. He didn’t need to do that.
Good post, Rant, but I think those negative comments don’t deserve an answer; most people should be able to judge Floyd objectively, even if they lean towards his innocence or guilt.
This is what I keep saying to people who ask. Even if you don’t understand the science, no one in their right mind would do all he has done, if he were guilty. Thank you for this post.
Well put, Rant!
–marc
excellent..excellent..excellent….I don’t know what more to say……and I agree completely….I have followed this for about a year..a latent TdF and Landis fan..but a steady and contributing one…thanks so much for your coverage and articles!!!!!
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