Just Do It. Walk Away



Farewell.  Livestrong. Just do It



So, it has finally come to an end. Lance Armstrong’s been proved guilty of all allegations. This for some is devastating, for others it is no surprise and for the rest it is justice. I’m not going report about what exactly the situation is. We all know what’s happened - we all hear about every movement the man makes. But all seven TdF titles? Really? Perhaps you agree with the decision, perhaps you don’t – but bear in mind, he wasn’t proven guilty for testing positive but simply for not continuing to fight the allegations. So why is it that he gets stripped of EVERYTHING and a lifetime ban whilst so many of the positive tested athletes get a slap on the wrist? Ok, let us not dwell on it, it’s done.  What really got my attention with all this is that Nike, one of Armstrong’s biggest endorsers will continue to back him. I think the fact that one of the world’s most recognised brands risking their own reputation in supporting him through this says a lot. Nike never dropped Armstrong when he had cancer and they’re not dropping him now.  The relationship between the two helps us realise that walking away doesn’t make you a loser, it doesn’t make you a quitter and it most definitely does not make you a cheater. “Enough is enough” says Armstrong. For more check out The Street Big Ups, Lance, Big ups Nike.

Keep Pedalling.

Families Pedal to the Medal

I recently discovered that one of the best ways to get the desired exposure when managing an event isn’t all about flashy advertising- but another angle one can approach is simply to make the event more family orientated. Sounds weird doesn’t it? Have a look at The Momentum Health National Duathlon series for instance; it comprised of six stages from the 4^th of March until the 19^th of August allowing athletes to compete all over the country. But that’s not what got my attention. The series organizers made it clear that as competitive as these events may be, it can still be a fun-filled family activity. The list of options ranged from:

 

Ø  A ‘Brats’ race

Ø  A ‘Kiddies race

Ø  And the main race consisting of a 5km run followed by a 40km cycle and finishes off with another 2.5km run

So from now on, bring the wife and kids along.
Check this link out: Duathlon HomePage

Sport or Business Opportunity? Perhaps Both



Anything for that Yellow Jersey


What has cycling become?  It’s no longer merely a sport one can enjoy for the beauty of what it is. Oh no, it’s a business opportunity which most big names want to tap into to get their fair share of the good stuff. Like most sport nowadays cycling is money driven- Fair enough, creating awareness is good.  But do you hear of any other sports where athletes face jail time for using performance enhancers? So that’s just what it has become-A community being developed and driven by a society hungry for action, hungry for more. Fact is- society and athletes themselves’ perceptions, attitudes, morals, ethics- all of it is so altered and shaped by the media that people go beyond all measures to get a piece of the pie- and that is regardless of whom or what gets affected negatively along the way. “As long as My brand gets the desired AVE, I don’t really care about the rest” This is the way the world is going and we must accept it for what it is- but that does not mean we can not determine the outcome of what we put in, or at least influence it. If it’s going to be money and politics that drive the sport, let’s invest in the right places and debate about the right issues.

Keep pedalling.

Reputation Repairable

Kissing the Gold- Kissing Cycling Good-Bye

I’m sure it came as a shock to the cycling industry when Kazakhstan’s Alexander Vinokurov pipped Britain’s dream team and snatched the Olympic gold. The surprise wasn’t exactly celebrated by most. Not because a Kazakh athlete won but merely because Vinokurov has been banned for doping in the past.  Now, I emphasize the word ‘past’ because that’s what it is exactly- the past, it’s done, finito. People say “It’s not right; unethical; He has a bad rep; ban him for life; how will it look if a previously banned athlete wins?” Vinokurov tested positive in 2007 which was followed by a two-year ban. I say reputation shmeputation!  He did his time and followed procedure, leave it at that. Personally I think what a way to end his carreer- with a Gold. Big Ups Vino.
Check out this link its not about redemption