By: Ryan Welte
THE OPINION COLUMN
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What Legacy Will Lance Armstrong Leave?
lance Armstrong has finally come out. Thursday on a prerecorded Oprah show, Armstrong admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs during his incredible career as a bike racer. This leaves many people to make their individual judgement on where Armstrong stands in their minds and how will we remember him. Will he forever be known as the lying cheat or someone who raised millions for the world's fight against cancer?
I will remember both aspects of the life that Armstrong led, but overall I believe Lance did a lot more positive than negative in his situation. Armstrong became the face of 'Livestrong,' a foundation who have raised more than $470 million towards the worldwide battle against cancer since their founding in 1997. Armstrong was a bully and is an absolute jerk, and he should be disliked for that; but, $470 million is a big number, and it is totally worth being cold hearted to raise that money.
Ask people who have beaten, or are fighting cancer how they feel, because their opinion is much more important than mine on this topic. ESPN Employee Stuart Scott is back in his battle with cancer and was asked how he felt about Lance Armstrong now. In a tweet, he replied "Same as before. I'm 1 of millions of C survivors he's helped. #grateful" obviously referencing Cancer.
I will make it clear, I don't like the kind of person and life that Armstrong leads, but I will remember his legacy as the man who raised almost half a billion dollars for cancer research.