They claim Lance Armstrong took drugs because he won so many times in a row, and because he's American. There's no proof, so are they being prejudice against him any winners from other countries? I wouldn't be surprised that if a French person wins so many times these days, they wouldn't make him take a drug test.
2007-07-21 08:18:46 · 10 answers · asked by tknhappyness 1 in Sports ➔ Cycling
I agree with uncleneal regarding the French, ( disagree with his referrence to their Algerian population though) I have been there on a number of occasions and they do get upset at foreign intrusion.
Its all to do with National pride.
Whats all this about American Dominance ???? I think this sort of American attitude toward national pride, is worst than the French one!
2007-07-21 09:16:55 · answer #1 · answered by onlyme Mr G 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Absolutely they are. But I wouldn't call it prejudice. I'd call it proud. The French are very proud of their country and their race. And let's face it...it is the Tour de France. Not the Tour of some other country. It is a beautiful race and they should be very proud of it.
But let's be honest here. Would we be any different? Let's suppose a French team entered a team in NASCAR and started winning everything. Would we welcome that? Or would we be rooting for an American team? We all have nationalistic views on sports. It's just the way the world is. It why the Olympics are based on national identity and not every man for himself.
Regarding thinking he is on drugs...with the state of cycling today, these accusations are not very far fetched. Rider after rider is being exposed and it appears as if the whole sport is dirty - and I mean the whole sport.
2007-07-21 10:09:26 · answer #2 · answered by Jay P 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Actually, no. If you've watched the tour this year, you notice that the French riders are more intent on battling each other and looking like the best French rider versus winning. They've given up on winning it pretty much. And based on how the peloton treated Moreau, it appears that none of the riders from the other countries wanted to help Moreau win at all.
There is also kind of an anti-American feeling over there though, because they feel like Americans try to win at all costs, and that is not really an attitude or value that European's in general share.
2007-07-21 14:52:15 · answer #3 · answered by Scott B 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Big Time. Back in the day when Eddy Merck was riding, he was trying to win his 6th Tour (Which would have beaten a Frenchmans record of 5) He was leading and i belive it was stage 14. When a spectator punched him in the kidney. All of this just to keep the record in the hands of the french. So their prejudice goes back a long time. And them not winning in over 20 years also adds to it.
2007-07-21 09:53:53 · answer #4 · answered by MyNameAShadi 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. (I'm french and i was a Greg Lemond supporter -even in 1989).
On the contrary, we're OK with american and other competitors of entire world.
It is a proof that le Tour de France is attractive (and a very good business).
But Cheaters must be disqualified.
before saying Bullshits about France, remember that many of our greatest french champions of the last ten years (Richard Virenque, Laurent Brochard...) have been prosecuted for doping.
2007-07-22 06:30:24 · answer #5 · answered by dfbd d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am not sure if they were prejudiced towards Armstrong or whether they were onto something; however, regarding Floyd Landis, i would say they werent prejudiced because Greg LeMond himself said that Landis' people were trying to blackmail LeMond because LeMond was due to testify in court. If Landis was innocent, why would his people try to intimidate? Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote an excellent article about this subject a while back.
2007-07-21 08:27:05 · answer #6 · answered by Thomas H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think so. An American has won the Tour the last 8 years. Kind of sucks to host the most prestigious bike race and you don't have a Frenchman that can come close to what Armstrong and Landis have done.
2007-07-22 05:01:57 · answer #7 · answered by Eddie 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I would say they are humbled more than prejudiced, I read that some French even liked Lance, lets hope they clean up the sport even if it means slower race......go Valverde!
2007-07-22 03:09:56 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually, the winner has to take a drug test, no ifs, ands, or buts, French or not. Each stage winner also has to take one, as well as daily riders chosen at random.
But yeah, they seem to be a tad bitter about U.S. dominance, but it is, after all, their race.
2007-07-21 08:30:33 · answer #9 · answered by kalaka 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
simple answer: yes
the French are more xenophobic than a lot of other European countries
but they are now in trouble, not just in the way they handle the Tour, but they have allowed too many radical Muslims into their country, and they are taking it out on everybody else.
sorry to be political about this, but they need to get a grip on reality!
2007-07-21 08:24:26 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋