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I've never followed cycling (or any sport) or indeed sporting celebrities but like many I'm aware of Bradley Wiggins and the huge struggles he's had following the end of his professional cycling career. I've really felt that the sport should have offered him more support.
He's given a candid interview to the BBC & also mentioned how much support Lance Armstrong has been in his recovery. I'm not sure that Lance could ever be completely redeemable but it's good to hear.
Anyway, I hope that this is the start of a turn around for Sir Bradley. I thought I'd post the link in case anyone's interested.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/articles/czdy27lpq81o
I heard that Bradley had a tough transition from elite athlete to retired elite athlete. His struggles have been covered by many people over the last few years. I'm not surprised but I am sorry it's been so hard for him and, presumably, for those around him.
Lance Armstrong deserves a break (IMHO). I'm sure Lance is a complicated character who's made some poor choices (like all of us) but I think that none of us are perfect and that we should allow anyone a second or third chance.
Lance does have his haters (including me!) but he's helped a few people in this way - Jan Ulrich especially.
something he's never really apologised for.
I thought he'd specifically sought out certain people to apologies in person - but ony certain people
Armstrong is a sociopath. Everything he does is a carefully crafted performance in service of rehabilitating his image.
He has constantly tried to portray himself as, 'Just doing what everyone else was doing.' Sorry, but I didn't see many other pros going after the reputations of others in the way he did. And while some pros could no doubt be vindictive and seek revenge against those they felt had disrespected them, he took it to a whole other level.
**** Lance Armstrong. Always and forever.
Not sure Lance is still getting that much stick TBH, and we can still think he was a rotten cheat and bully at the same time as acknowledging that he's been a good pal to Brad.
Brad's awful experiences when young certainly explain his troubled times since. Hope he's in a better place now (even if it's not Wigan any more).
Armstrong is a sociopath. Everything he does is a carefully crafted performance in service of rehabilitating his image.
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This. It's great that Wiggins is getting some support, but Armstrong is doing it for purely selfish reasons.
I've really felt that the sport should have offered him more support.
How would that work then?Â
has he admitted to doping yet? i'm not interested in his story until he spills the beans on what was really happening at Team Sky
Nothing new in that interview, well, apart from Wiggins has a book coming out.Â
Just adding in this interview from last month - mentions JiffyGate.
https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/article/bradley-wiggins-i-was-a-functioning-cocaine-addict
I've just finished reading Alex Dowsett's book - Bloody minded. It's very good.
He shared a room with Sir Brad while at 'Sky' and .......well you'll have to buy the book.
I find the article really disappointing - so very typical of Wiggins related news these days (and increasingly, journalism in general).
Clearly the guy has had such a difficult life with high and lows that few of us can ever imagine, but every press story comes out with another level of trauma creating an increasing snowball of sadness. His very challenging childhood, his struggles as a pro-rider, mental health issues, marital breakdown, cocaine addiction .... now the only person to support him has been "the drugs cheat Lance Armstrong".
Of course, this all needs to be recognised to understand what makes Wiggins the man he was and is, but will the narative ever switch to look forwards rather than backwards?Â
but will the narative ever switch to look forwards rather than backwards?Â
I'm sure he'd love to, but it almost certainly isn't that easy. Otherwise everyone in a spiral of mental health and/or addiction issues would just "snap out of it" and turn their lives around to positivity and a happy ending.Â
I'm sure he'd love to, but it almost certainly isn't that easy.
If you'd read my first sentence first, you'd see my comments weren't aimed at Wiggins but me commenting on the journalstic desire to keep regurgitating the 'car crash' rather than the recovery. The Armstrong element could easily have been written as a positive step forwards for either/both athletes but wasn't.Â
If there isn't a positive step forward either/both athletes then Wiggins being friends with Armstrong is not new therefore not news. Â
Fair enough. I did read your whole post but it wasn't obvious to me that you weren't talking about him. That's probably down to me not you 👍
The Armstrong element could easily have been written as a positive step forwards for either/both athletes but wasn't.
Yes but it's unpopular to suggest that LA was anything other than a total ****er.
However, it's perfectly possible that LA could have been a cheaty **** here ---> but actually a decent guy there --->.
No-one is completely black or white - Wiggins and Ulrich have both had well-publicised battles with addiction & mental health issues. Maybe LA recognises some sort of kindred spirit...
Or it could all be a carefully crafted attempt to make himself out as a saviour rather than a cheat. 🤷🏻♂️