Have the Doping Scandals in Cycling Sealed the Sports Fate?
In the last couple of years competitive cycling has taken some major body blows as doping within the sport has come to the fore. Within any competitive sport where obscene sums of money are involved there is always going to be some level of corruption whether for gambling purposes or in the pursuit of success.
With such widespread corruption in a sport with such impressive prior credentials, is competitive cycling going to recover?
Revelations
The unfortunate thing about the doping scandals within cycling is the fact that it had spread so far into the sports veins that it had affected the true heart of the sport. The most tragic revelation was Lance Armstrong’s admissions to having cheated. Used for years as the poster boy for the sport, Armstrong had survived cancer and gone on to win the tour de France on multiple occasions.
The sad truth was that this inspiring individual was no more than a liar and a cheat with the audacity to act as a motivational speaker and release a biography of his life. A biography that many bookstores have notably now moved into the fiction section.
In addition to this, it also came to light that several other riders and even racing teams had turned to doping as finances took precedence over integrity and the glory of sporting achievement.
Fanbase
Where the problems will really hit home is amongst the fan base. There is no point in sport if competition and integrity are removed and supporters will simply not stick around to watch a sport they have no faith in anymore.
Numbers of spectators and merchandise sales will have no doubt taken a significant hit as supporter numbers have dwindled.
Major Events
One thing that could be the salvation of competitive cycling is the Olympic Games. In London 2012, cycling took centre stage as sporting greats such as Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins flew the flag for the UK and took several golds as the UK nearly swept the board in cycling medals.
This has been part of a growing popularity of cycling in the Olympics and the inclusion of BMX Racing as the most recent Olympic event has only increased this popularity.
However, in the extended year round road events such as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana it will take a long time for real credibility to return. It works in their favour that so many have confessed their sins as it may allow the sport a chance to rebuild its shattered frame.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’][/author_image] [author_info]Dirk Gundarsen runs a bicycle store. He is an avid fan of Raleigh bikes and competitive racing.[/author_info] [/author]
