It's About Time Someone Did Something
Today the Tour de France 2006 kicks off.
Now I know many of you don't care. I do. I love cycling - it's both an individual and team sport. It's one of the most gruelling 20-something days covering 2,000 plus miles through some of the most difficult roads in the world. So when these guys suit up every morning (they do have a couple of rest days built in) and go out and push their bodies, minds, and souls to the ultimate extreme - I tip my hat and tune in.
As this year's TdF gets going there is a HUGE suprise - some of the top riders will not be riding this year's TdF. Why? Their managers scratched them. Why? They were listed in a Spanish paper as part of an drug/blood-doping investigation. Here's the really wild thing - the team managers got together and decided they would remove any rider from their team whose name appeared as a result of the investigation. I don't about you, but did you notice it wasn't the officials of cycling and drug testing gurus that made these decisions. It was the men whose livelihood depends on their top riders. One team doesn't even have enough men to mount a team. And this is the culmination of cycling each year. This is "The Big One" for cycling. These men took responsibility and made their decision. Well done gentlemen.
Maybe our sporting teams could take notice. HEY MANAGERS WHY DON'T YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE ON YOUR TEAM? Step up guys and do the right thing. Yeah it's ALL about money, but so is the TdF. I bet if managers and execs in US professional sports ahd the hang-me-downies the cyclings guys had more athletes would take notice.
I'm tired of all the theatrics between players and governing bodies. Where's the owners, managers, trainers? Don't tell me these guys don't know what's going on their locker rooms. If they don't then they ought to. You guys are hiding behind the bench and in your offices. Get out and take responsibility!
Finally. . .someone is taking responsibility!
Mike
Now I know many of you don't care. I do. I love cycling - it's both an individual and team sport. It's one of the most gruelling 20-something days covering 2,000 plus miles through some of the most difficult roads in the world. So when these guys suit up every morning (they do have a couple of rest days built in) and go out and push their bodies, minds, and souls to the ultimate extreme - I tip my hat and tune in.
As this year's TdF gets going there is a HUGE suprise - some of the top riders will not be riding this year's TdF. Why? Their managers scratched them. Why? They were listed in a Spanish paper as part of an drug/blood-doping investigation. Here's the really wild thing - the team managers got together and decided they would remove any rider from their team whose name appeared as a result of the investigation. I don't about you, but did you notice it wasn't the officials of cycling and drug testing gurus that made these decisions. It was the men whose livelihood depends on their top riders. One team doesn't even have enough men to mount a team. And this is the culmination of cycling each year. This is "The Big One" for cycling. These men took responsibility and made their decision. Well done gentlemen.
Maybe our sporting teams could take notice. HEY MANAGERS WHY DON'T YOU TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE ON YOUR TEAM? Step up guys and do the right thing. Yeah it's ALL about money, but so is the TdF. I bet if managers and execs in US professional sports ahd the hang-me-downies the cyclings guys had more athletes would take notice.
I'm tired of all the theatrics between players and governing bodies. Where's the owners, managers, trainers? Don't tell me these guys don't know what's going on their locker rooms. If they don't then they ought to. You guys are hiding behind the bench and in your offices. Get out and take responsibility!
Finally. . .someone is taking responsibility!
Mike
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