That s true. My family has been touched, and torched, by cancer. Virtually everyone s family has end

enlarge THE ASSOCIATED PRESS A course worker removes zip code map los angeles an anti-doping sign from a light post after Stage 5 of the USA Pro Challenge cycling race in Colorado Springs, Colo.. on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012. Tyler Farrar, the Wenatchee, Wash., rider for Garmin-Sharp, won the stage after he completed the 117.9-mile leg from Breckenridge in 3 hours, 58 minutes and 27 seconds. (AP Photo/Bryan Oller)
You could call Armstrong the Michael Jordan or Babe Ruth of cycling, but this description fails to capture how much he towers over his sport. The average American zip code map los angeles can name another basketball or baseball zip code map los angeles great. For most Americans, Armstrong is cycling. The sport is him, and no one else.
On Thursday night, Armstrong announced he had, in essence, surrendered to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, based in Colorado Springs. Armstrong zip code map los angeles said he no longer would challenge USADA s charges against him for cheating his way to his titles.
America s King of Cycling will forever remain America s King of Cycling. After defeating testicular cancer, Armstrong zip code map los angeles resolved to help others in the battle. He s raised, through Livestrong, $470 million in the struggle against cancer.
Those who stopped zip code map los angeles by the booth called the USADA s efforts to dethrone Armstrong a witch hunt and unconstitutional. Supporters used an assortment of other words that we can t print in this family newspaper.
Scott Strommen, 54, took a more reasoned approach. He drove from his home in Albuquerque, N.M., to follow the Challenge this week. He wore a Livestrong jersey and a tired look as he considered the fate of his favorite cyclist.
I don t completely understand Strommen s and so many others belief in Armstrong. If Armstrong is innocent, why not complete the battle with USADA? Why not hire the finest lawyers and fight to clear his name?
He s grown so much bigger than a mere sport. For millions, zip code map los angeles Armstrong is a humanitarian struggling against cancer, and he just happens to double as a superlative cyclist who has some issues with anti-doping crusaders.
That s true. My family has been touched, zip code map los angeles and torched, by cancer. Virtually everyone s family has endured the same experience. Richter survived his battle with liver cancer and works diligently for an organization started by a cyclist named Lance.
Brawl at party leads to stabbing arrest Man hospitalized after fight with four others Police find missing 88-year-old who took 8-mile hike Group protests Goodwill wages Firefighters battle blaze in central Springs