You Gotta Love This Guy

From Capitalism Magazine, an article by Quent Cordair about the incomparable Lance Armstrong:

"As I watched a breakaway of five athletes fighting heroically towards the finish of the Tour’s toughest stage — 126 miles of five brutally difficult mountain climbs — with only a kilometer left to the finish line, the German rider Kloden launched a final definitive sprint, pulling away from Lance and the remaining competitors, maintaining a solid lead at the final 100 meters. The seasoned broadcast announcers, measuring the insurmountable lead, declared Kloden the winner, as it would be impossible for anyone, even the great Lance Armstrong, to bridge such a distance, in so short a time, at the end of such a grueling race. Lance thought otherwise. He gathered himself and stunned everyone on the mountain, especially poor Kloden, pouring every cell of his mind and body into taking the man by the length of a bike wheel at the finish line. At this point in the race, with the large lead he’s already amassed, he didn’t need the points, he didn’t need the time. He did it — because he could, because that’s what he does; that’s what he is. And he thoroughly enjoyed it."

What can I say? I am not a big bicycling fan, but in July I found myself turning on the Outdoor Life Network on TV to check on how Lance was doing (even while I was on vacation). To me, the gritty determination, hard work and talent of this guy symbolize everything I love about this country. "He did it --because he could, because that's what he does; that's what he is..." And when you dig down deep into the American soul, I believe that's what we are, too.