Most important athlete of all-time?

There was an interesting read in playboy's june issue where they interviewed Lance Armstrong, mentioning him as possibly being the most important athlete of all-time. I guess I never really thought of him like that before, but after reading through, this guy overcame 12 tumors, goes on to win the Tour de France 6 times in a row, and helped raise close to $40 million for cancer by selling those simple yellow bracelets for $1 each...he has my vote.

Just wondering what everyone else's opinion is?

Chris P.

Hi,
politically:
I am an American citizen of German descent, lived in Texas as a small boy - when I read and hear about the American and fellow Texan Lance Armstrong, it makes me be very proud to be an American! Lance is the ideal good American, not the ugly American by no means.
sportwise:
Lance has incredible determination; Lance rules - not his fate; mind over matter thing.
privately:
hard to tell, but he has health and marriage problems, like everybody else, Lance is just a normal guy in this aspect - makes him a mortal person, like the rest of us.
historically:
6 tour de france victories - Lance is already an icon in sport history. 7th victory? Jan Ulrich and others will want to win also. Can Lance do it again? Millions will be watching the next Tour de France on TV. It will be a battle of nerves and strength, for the spectators and above all for Lance himself. Will he be able to cope with the stress and expectations? If you are expected to win, one may lose because the pressure is too great. If Lance wins, he will be Super Lance, if not he is still Super Lance, just for trying a 7th victory, or is it because of his contract with Discovery Channel? ANYWAY I WILL BE WATCHING OR EVEN GOING TO THE TOUR DE FRANCE AGAIN, LIKE LAST YEAR:
http://www.camping-ultralite.de/st04-4.jpg Lance in Bescacon, France

i don't see any sens in calling anyone the athlete of all times

what about all this unknown people [like Fry in England - the guy who was the world champion in boxing, long running, snooker, great football and cricket pleyer] and ?
without media behind them ?


and btw - how can we call somebody who doesn't know the team work the most important athlete of all-time ? because Lance does not.

robb

I agree. Who knows Heinz Stücke? Probably in Britain he`s a bit popular, but in Germany nobody knows him.

I do! http://www.bikechina.com/ct-heinzstucke1z.html I have read a lot about him.He has never been back to Germany since he left decades ago. But somehow he manages. I wonder how?

rado - thanx for this link !!!

Remember, we do not talk about the best or the most successful athlete, but about the most important one.
So what is Lance important for? He has shown to the world and especially to sick people, that even after suffering from a heavy disease you shouldn`t give up yourself. That`s , of course, a good reason to be named as an important athlete.
The same size, for me, has Cassius Clay. He gave Africa a bit of pride, showed them that big events must not be necessarily in the western world ( rumble in the jungle )
, showed them that he is an african and proud of it.

Lets try to be objective as possible : Armstrong is a very very strong cyclist. His determination and come back from cancer has been absolutely outstanding - beyond doubt !

The part that a lot of the fans (including me ) dont like is the american media at play, simply ! They blow things out of proportion like they always do and forget about all the historical great athletes before him ...

In principle, I dont think the term " athlete of all times " should exist or should be given to anybody ??? what does it mean ? can he out-pull Hercules ??

You have a good point there! I agree, but 6 straight wins in the Tour de France speak for themselves. That is a fact and not media.

Lance is a phenomena. Sometimes I think having cured from cancer has given him something special against pain. He feels less pain or can cope with pain and fatigue better because of having had cancer and cancer treatment? A normal healthy athlete feels more pain than Lance does? Lance is less scared by pain than others. This is just a mere theory of mine.