Floyd Landis -- the shaming begins
Maybe it's a Mennonite thing, but I don't think Arlene Landis is going to be winning any mother-of-the-year awards for her reaction to her Tour de France winning son Floyd's shocking but not-so-shocking positive test for an illegal level of testosterone. According to the Associated Press:
Floyd Landis' mother, Arlene, said she wouldn't blame her son if he was taking medication to treat his hip pain, but "if it's something worse than that, then he doesn't deserve to win."
"I know that this is a temptation to every rider, Arlene added, "but I'm not going to jump to conclusions. It disappoints me."
At least she gave him the glimmer of a hint of the benefit of doubt. With support like that from his own mother, it's no wonder Floyd Landis has gone into hiding.
It needs to pointed out that testing for testosterone is notoriously inaccurate. In the past, most cyclists who have appealed their positive testosterone readings have gotten the results reversed.
It also needs to be pointed out that any time a cyclist passes a drug test it only means he is good at cheating.
Fun Fact: Mennonites usually stay away from such brightly colored attire, but they have a sweet tooth. The founders and namesakes of both Hersheys and Smuckers were Mennonites.
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17 comments:
I think his mother was RIGHT ON. She is honest and supports a son who is honest, what's wrong with a mother who lives what she hopefully taught him all his life????
I was wondering if all the cyclists are drug tested BEFORE they race? They practice and practice and a shame to have a title darkened by drugs abuse. Maybe there should be drug testing at different intervals before the big race.
I think Landis mother is a good example for all mom's. To stand up and say if he is guilty, he does not deserve to win. If more moms would raise their kids to answer for what mistakes they make then this country would be a lot better off. So talk it like it is mom! If you don't like the truth you must be a liar.
It's those danged French! Poor losers trying to blame doping for the fact that they can't win. They cast the same shadow over Lance last year. Live Strong, Floyd.
He's got to be innocent. No one could be that stupid.
How did a Mennonite guy become an ahtlete? Most Mennonites practive "stewardship of money" meaning they are way too cheap to spend money on quality health care, such as vitamins, good food and gym memberships. They would also be way too cheap to spend money on a $3000 bike to train on.
this guy probaly grew up eating cheap balongna and day old white bread. No wonder he had to drug to win. Either that or he really does have a horminal imbalance from years of eating cheap food.
Katie t, you are right, Mennonites don't tip, because they are too cheap. I still don't see howa cheap Menonite guy gets to be an athlete.
Mennonite guys are lazy too, amny of them prefer to live off of their wife's income and do the "progressive" role reversal thing where the woman works and the man stays home to "keep house."
Maybe thats how Floyd had time to train. Anyone know if he's married or not? If not, I bet he lives with his mother.
This is CRAZY. Floyd, lazy???? Do you know how many hours a day these guy train? Amber Landis is a stay at home mom. He has "time to ride his bike", because he is sponsered and paid to do so! It is his JOB. Ya'll obviously know nothing about cycling!
Oh, one more thing....do you know those bikes cost way more than $3,000!!
menonite men are not lazy, they are hard working and honest people.
Innocent until proven guilty doesn't exist in the court of public opinion. Let the facts come out and then punish (if necessary.) They should not even post doping test results until all tests, retests, appeals, and investigation are complete. Even when he is found innocent (and I do believe that he will be), his name and achievement have been tarnished.
Katie T you are so wrong. Mennonites do tip when they go out to eat which may not be as often as some other people.
Mennonites are very hard working people. Some of them grow most of their own food and eat very well.
Mrs. Landis believes in her son, but she also believes in what is right and what is wrong. If he did take something to enhance his performance then he doesn't deserve to win.
I am a Mennonite and glad for my background and support Floyd all the way.
Like Mrs. Landis says, "God be to God".
What I meant to say in my last sentence in my previous message is "To God be the Glory".
I agree with Joseph, we are a no blame society now and its about time parents did the right thing. I remember when I was young I was guilty until proven innocent. Kids are brought up today to believe they can do no wrong. Thats why there is such a breakdown in morals in our society today. ANYONE who takes enhancing drugs to get ahead in sports are cheaters and should be treated as such..ARE YOU LISTENING MR> BONDS???
Anonymous Mennonite person...
I agree. I have been to Mennonite churches, and they sure don't take the easy way out, or else they would be mechanized and motorized. They are just not, in my experience, about popping pills to cheat.....
I'm proud of Floyd, and what he has no doubt gone through to achieve his dream, things none of these other folks can imagine.
I'm proud of his mama, too. She didn't say she thinks he DID, juswt IF he did then he wouldn't deserve to win. We can all agree with that. She's disappointed? Wull, yeah! Her son just had the most incredible triumph and uninformed people all over the world already have him tarred and feathered, on what personal knowlege?
Nope, for me Mennonite means they are strictly not into the easy way, and no way has Floyd's way been easy.
Go Floyd. And good on ya's, Mennonites!
Oh, and another thing....Landis is "sponsored"...that means his helmets, jersey's, bikes, etc, are given to him. He has a contract...it cracks me up how little you people know but are the first to judge him. Do a little reading up on Floyd's background, etc, before you go spouting crap.
Like a good Mennonite Katie T.,I forgive you. Yes, you did hit a nerve because you weren't correct in what you were saying.
Mrs. Landis cooked a big meal for some out of town reporters one day. Another time she gave a group of cyclists home made lemonaide. We are more likely to cook a meal then to go out for a meal, but if we did go out, we would tip. Mrs. Landis is showing those outside of the Mennonite community the true spirit of her background.
Go Floyd, we are behind you all the way. What a wonderful athlete you are. You don't need any enhancement drugs. You trained hard and deserve to win. To God Be the Glory.
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