Lance Armstrong, Greatest Active Athlete?

[Keyser Soze]

Lance Armstrong has just won his 5th Tour de France, never before accomplished by an American and only once before by anyone else in nearly over 100 years. Oh, and by the way, he also survived 12 tumors on his lungs, 2 on his brain, and had a cancer ravaged testicle the size of a lemon. Lance Armstrong is more than an athlete, he's an inspiration to get up off your ass and do something with your life.

Unfortunately, he's merely a blip on the radar in the American sports scene. You hear about him for about a month and then he's forgotten. He isn't celebrated like Michael Jordan and its a shame because he is truly an extrodinary human being.

Do you think Lance Armstrong is the greatest active athlete?

[Sloats]

I was hoping he was going to boycott those frogs this year, but he did have that streak.....

Lance one nut is the only reason any American is paying attention to 'cycling. I have been increadibly impressed with his determination and achievements, however cycling only focuses on two athletic abilities: Stamina and Leg Strength Power (Too a lesser degree: Balance and Inteligence/Feigning/Awareness). For this reason, I find athletes of other sports more athletic.

That being said, this guy better right a book.

[Flock of Moosen]

This is a subject I have a hard time with. It's hard for me to say who is exactly the greatest athlete, active or inactive.

I mean, all these people the so called experts nominate for this "title" really don't do anything besides their specific sport so it's hard to say who is the greatest athlete.
They've said Muhammad Ali, but all we knew of him was he could box.
They've said Michael Jordan, but all we know of him was he could play basketball. (Don't even try to say he was a baseball player. :lol: )
They say Lance Armstrong, but all he does is ride a bike.

They are all tremendous athletes at what they do I humbly admit that, but to try and compare each one to the other is like comparing apples and oranges.

I feel a great athlete is one who excels at a bunch of things, not just one. To me that means someone who competes in Triathlons or in Decathlons. They are truly the greatest athletes alive.

[NastyHam]

i think what he is doing is amazing and unparelleled in sports. to ride thousands of miles on a bike... at all! let alone up mountains?!?! thats crazy hard. personally looking at bikes makes me wheeze sometimes. but 5 in a row? against equally fanatical cyclists? you think jan ullrich naps all year? that fuckers out there 24/7 riding his ass off too. i think what amazed me most is that after he won this year he berated himself for not doing well and calling this year's race "unacceptable." :confused: he just beat the best in the world and he basically said he stunk and that next year hell be much better... hes only 31... 3 cancers... i only wonder how many more he can win before he calls it quits... anyway, for what its worth, he gets my vote for the greatest alive...

[Crack Hitler]

I was hoping he was going to boycott those frogs this year, but he did have that streak.....

grow the fuck up, he rides a bike, this is the superbowl of bike riding, you thought he would boycot this public exposure because france thinks that america attacking a country under false pretenses is wrong. fucking dolt

[60FeetUnderWater]

Originally posted by Flock of Moosen

I feel a great athlete is one who excels at a bunch of things, not just one...They are truly the greatest athletes alive.

Bo don't know "Greatest Athlete Alive"? :confused:

[Crack Hitler]

>>>>>

[McNabbShouldDie]

Well im not sure who i think is the greatest active athlete, but i dont think its Armstrong. I do think he is the best athlete in his sport though, by far. I also think he is a tremendous athelte, especially considering all the medical shit he has to deal with.

[Keyser Soze]

i agree that armstrong is a bit of a one trick pony, but a special one at that considering not only has he completely dominated his sport but has done so under the most extreme of circumstances, basically fighting for his life to cheat death.

in terms of overall athleticism i would agree that someone like Jim Thorpe, Carl Lewis, or Edwin Moses. You could easily make a case for Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson for being one of the top players in 2 sports simultaneously that require signifigant athleticism.

[NastyHam]

im sitting here thinking that soccer players dont get enough credit. they run around for 45 minutes nonstop. and they arent just aimlessly hanging around. theyre chasing and kicking and passing and bouncing the ball on their head. anyone who can bounce shit off their head gets my respect.