Conference noted::bicycle

2614.0. "Armstrong, the Immature?" by DELNI::CRITZ (Scott Critz, LKG2/1, Pole V3) Tue Jul 20 1993 15:23

     In the May 1993, issue of BICYCLING, there was an article about Lance

     Armstrong.  In the August 1993, issue of BICYCLING, there is an

     article by the wife of Lance's stepfather.





     Copied w/o permission from BICYCLING, May 1993, p.  59ff



     ..In many ways Armstrong is an anomaly, a person for whom such success

     should not be possible.  His mother was 17 when he was born.  He's

     never met his father and doesn't care to.  "My mother never went to

     college and had no opportunities," he says.  "When she had me, she was

     up against the wall.  People said her life was over." Though she soon

     remarried, it was another disastrous match.  Armstrong hasn't seen his

     stepfather (and namesake) in years.  "He was totally unfair to my

     mother," he says, "so we kicked his a$$ out.  It irks me that a man is

     running around claiming to be my father.  I'd rather get rid of the

     name.  And I don't plan to give it to my children...."





     Copied w/o permission from BICYCLING, August 1993, p.  12



     I was very disappointed in the May article about Lance Armstrong

     ("America's Lone Star").  The person he happens to be speaking of

     whose "a$$ he kicked out" is now my husband.  I am sorry Lance harbors

     such hatred toward the man who took him and his mother out of a small

     apartment and gave them a home to live in - a home that she continues

     to live in with her third husband.  There are 2 sides to every story,

     and I feel sorry for my husband who has to endure the humiliation from

     this immature kid who obviously needs counseling.  If it was so tough

     being with my husband, why did Lance and his mother stay around for

     over 10 years?  Why didn't his birth father stay around.  Lance is the

     one who keeps bad-mouthing my husband, who has gotten on with his life

     and isn't quoted anywhere in the article.  Lance's mother has twisted

     her son's mind, and he's forgotten everything my husband did for them.

     I happen to like "Armstrong" for a last name, but if "All American"

     Lance hates it so much, let him change it to his mother's last name,

     Mooneyhan.  My husband has tried to reach out to Lance, but he would

     never hurt someone he loves so much.

     Personally, I'd stay away from any speculation or judgement calls
     on this one...
    
     Family stuff is complicated beyond an outsider's comprehension. 
     Perspectives run the spectrum and emotions distort all of the
     facts.
    
     Unless he shows up like a dope to me, I'll reserve any measure of
     the man later and enjoy is rocket ascent to world class cycling!!!!
    
     P.S. Scott, I know the entry wasn't meant to provoke an editorial...
          Thanks for entering it - Interesting!
    
          Chip

    
    I agree with Chip on this one. I would also say that cycling magazines
    should stay clear of this one (although I know they won't because it
    sells well). Fellow cyclists can be 'experts' on someone's cycling
    life, but going into family life is something that only those directly
    involved should take opinions.
    
    Graham.

I picked up the Coor's team from Boston for the Fitchburg race and
asked a few of them about Lance.  They are very excited about his
career potential, and this rumour of an ego the size of Texas
is not correct.  Remember he is only 21 years old, and has seen
success early.  We can put a lot of pressure on a kid, I doubt
he has gone through special training on how to handle the public.

steve