Love him or hate him, Lance is doing good things

At a press conference Monday, cancer survivor Lance Armstrong announced that win or lose, he will end his prolific cycling career after this July's Tour De France. Armstrong cited wanting to spend more time with his three kids as the biggest reason for deciding to retire.\nThe 33-year old Armstrong became a national icon the past few years, gaining popularity with each of his six straight Tour De France wins.\nBut whether or not Armstrong rides to another first-place finish for his seventh title, where will he rank in America's eyes on the list of all-time greatest athletes?\nWhen we talk about great American athletes, Jordan, Ruth and Montana come to mind. A cyclist from Texas most likely won't be mentioned among those names.\nTo most of the red, white and blue, cycling is about as cool as a Wiffle-ball helmet. We are a basketball, football and baseball kind of country. The U.S. leaves soccer and cycling to the Europeans.\nPlain and simple, America really doesn't care about men in spandex and dorky helmets. Lance participates in a sport that is not team-oriented enough for our tastes.\nHe has also succumbed to a whole host of steroid and performance-enhancing drug allegations, most recently from former assistant Mike Anderson. This certainly has tarnished his legacy, even if the allegations prove false. But in an era where steroids are used as regularly as aspirin, it makes it hard to feel 100 percent certain with anything. For as many people who love everything Lance, (including those trendy LIVESTRONG bracelets), there are just as many who despise him. But hate him or love him, or rather hate the yellow bracelet or love it, you have to respect what he is trying to do. \nWith more than 40 million LIVESTRONG bracelets sold to date, millions of dollars have been donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research. Though the bracelets turned into more of a trendy fashion statement than a reason to donate money to a good cause, I'm sure the foundation gladly took all the money it received.\nAlthough his organization helps victims live with and try and survive the disease more than look for a cure, Armstrong could use his notoriety and dedication to raising money for cancer to one day aid in finding a cure for cancer.\nTuesday's USA Today hailed Armstrong as a 'global hero' in regards to his 'back-from-cancer story'. \nThis probably isn't the best title to describe him, but his future work with cancer research may help this title come to fruition. \nWhat if sometime in the next 20 years, a cure was found, thanks in a large part to Armstrong's effort? \nHe most certainly would become a figurehead around the globe for his efforts.\nBut for now, Armstrong seems to be more preoccupied with training for his seventh title. Shortly after last year's Tour De France, Armstrong cut ties with sponsorship with the U.S. Postal Service and now rides for Discovery Channel.\nAn omen for a guy who is helping to discover more about cancer? That is probably something both the United States and Europe can agree on.