Charity vs Cheating: Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong has been in the news for months now after he has been exposed as a drugs cheat and having all seven of his Tour de France victories taken away. His team were said to have run "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen". (Source).

Armstrong was seen as an absolute hero to millions, not only for his sporting achievements, but also because he battled, and overcome cancer, and started his LiveStrong campaign raising over $470 million for charity.

He has come out and apologised and asked for forgiveness from the US public on the Oprah talk show (Link).

Lots of ethical and moral questions can now be raised:

• Does apologising make amends?
• Does he deserve to be forgiven?
• Is a life ban a suitable punishment?
• How will people view other seemingly exceptional sportsmen and women?
• Can he continue his charity work?
• Should his charity work effect the public view of his cheating?

Only time will now tell how the public will react to Armstrong. However for many, a hero has been vilified.

Rear more here, a interesting article on grace.