After overcoming the tumor, the Texan has now won another battle: “I was in a black hole, I came out of it after a year.” And today he extends his hand to Bradley Wiggins
“That was then. This is what I am today.” In one of the iconic shots by Liz Kreutz, the photographer who has followed him and told stories all his life, Lance Armstrong puts another point in his second life. Or maybe even the third and fourth. He still places himself at the center of the world of sport and cycling, claiming his strength as a communicator, and not as an athlete. This time it’s the battle with alcohol, which tormented him and had become an abyss, a black hole. Lance, at 53 years old, celebrates this victory, which no one will ever be able to take away from him. It’s his, his alone.
His lives
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The first life is that of the seven consecutive Tours de France, from 1999 to 2005, canceled in October 2012 after “the most sophisticated doping system in history” was discovered. But the Texan, who has admitted some responsibility, never changes his perspective from this aspect: the very famous photo in his home in Austin with the seven yellow jerseys and now the one with the seven Tour trophies on the top floor of the bookshop. He always claims those successes. The second life is that of the savior. First Jan Ullrich, the German who was his bitter rival on the road and to whom he held out his hand to save him from the abyss of alcohol, and not only that. Lance from Ullrich in Germany three years ago, and now Ullrich training in Austin at Lance’s gym. Embraced, smiles without boundaries, as if they were lifelong companions: and that word addressed to Ullrich, “my brother”, that says it all. And then Bradley Wiggins, the Baronet who crossed the Atlantic in recent weeks recalled by Armstrong’s comfort to escape the depression, debts and bankruptcy that have left him practically naked, with nothing, without a wife and without even a house. “Lance and I talked about therapy – said the 44-year-old Londoner -. He offered to pay for me to go to this place he knows in Atlanta, one of those places where you go and leave your phone aside for a week, talking about what you have. Lance has a heart down there, he’s a good man.” It’s recent history, and Brad also seems irresistibly attracted by Armstrong’s charisma and spirit, the man who was one of the most independent and least catalogable champions in the history of cycling, six-time Olympic champion and king of the 2012 Tour de France.
Present
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Lance’s third life, however, is in his confession, in his serious gaze with bare feet, on a chair. This time not fit or happy to show off an incredible physique and the great desire to pedal and orient the thought of watching cycling with a much listened to podcast. No, there’s that sign behind Lance now. “That was then. This is what I am today.” Another battle won, after the one on cancer which made him a global symbol in the fight against cancer at the end of the 90s: Armstrong capable, with his Foundation, of entering the White House with American presidents and finding open doors in the most prestigious global hospital facilities, with tens of millions of dollars raised for research. The program was called Livestrong. And this has not been swept away by doping and – prohibited – blood transfusions.
The words
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This time it’s not cancer, but alcohol. “Today is different, today this date on the calendar is different – Armstrong writes in a long post -. One year ago today, I decided that my relationship with alcohol was over and that it was no longer in my best interest. And also in the interest of my family, my friends, my team and my community. I believe that everything in life should be seen either as a stimulus or a black hole, or a good or a disadvantage, or a positive or negative fact. Alcohol had become an abyss, a negative net for me. This was my decision, and today I feel it was the best one I ever made. Six months ago, I heard a voice inside, and I finally listened to it. The trip lasted a year, and I still listen to this voice, only now it says “hey Lance, I’m really proud of you”. It fills my day every time I listen to it. Finally, I want to thank my beautiful wife Anna Hansen for her incredible support over the past 12 months. Baby, you are my rock and I love you immensely.” Armstrong, him again.
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