'Legends' don't make the sport

By Erin Hussey

In little over three months, bicycle legend and six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong will retire. On front pages all over the nation, Armstrong's small yet powerful physique, highlighted by his trademark bright-yellow jersey, seemed to fly right off the pages.

The articles raved about his consecutive wins, rock-'n'-roll girlfriend Sheryl Crow, amazing comeback from cancer and, of course, his ever-so-popular yellow "livestrong" bracelet fund-raiser campaign.

I thoroughly enjoyed the break from the usual war, religion and politics headlines. It was also nice to see a lead sports article that wasn't about steroid abuse, contract negotiations or sex scandals.

But that was on Monday. On Wednesday morning, while I studying for my current event quiz in my edit and design for journalism class, I came across another article about Lance Armstrong.

The article was titled, "Will it have legs?" and questioned whether or not the sport of cycling would be able to make it with out its "messiah," Lance Armstrong.

It provided a variety of examples from other sports that had dwindled in popularity because their "messiahs" had retired. The author even rated the "messiah's" "revolutionary impact" on the sports birth into popularity.

My question is, When did the purportedly honorable world of sports degenerate to a mere popularity contest of a few select people?

I am not denying that there are stars in sports, but elevating them to such a high a level of power is dangerous. If people only play or support or cheer for a sport because of one "messiah," what happens when they fall from grace?

Just take a look at Barry Bonds or Kobe Bryant or Marion Jones. No, they haven't retired, but they have made some high-profile, legitimate mistakes. And did the baseball, basketball or track ease to exist without them? No.

Sports isn't about popularity or fame or transcending into a living legend. It's about passion, desire, competitive spirit and above all, selflessness.

Yes, the world will miss watching Armstrong zoom through the Tour de France race, but cycling is not going to cease to exist.

Parents will continue to encourage their kids as they wobble down the street without training wheels, teens will pop wheelies and the sound of speed will fill the air as cycling racers cross the finish line.

* Contact Erin Hussey at (408) 551-1918 or ehussey@scu.edu.