Sorry? Sorry I Got Caught

I have spoken on the topic of cheating before, but as we have endured Lance Armstrong’s staged confession to doping on Oprah Winfrey’s network, I want to revisit an aspect of cheating few have talked about - the apologies for getting caught. People like Armstrong, Marion Jones, Floyd Landis, and many others who have used the public stage to apologize have not really told us that they are sorry they cheated. Sure, they talk about how sorry they are IF they hurt people, or IF their fans have been let down. Let me be clear....they are sorry they got caught. They’re sorry they won’t be earning their millions(or in some cases paying back millions). They’re sorry they have titles stripped and medals returned. They’re sorry their glories are gone. That’s not the same as being sorry for doping and cheating.

There is doping in the running world and we know it. While it may be more prevalent in track and field, I’m sure there is a certain amount of cheating in the long distance road racing. While I long suspected Lance Armstrong used drugs, I have also suspected Usain Bolt of doping. I have no proof of this, but in the age of hyped up performances, one has to wonder if those amazing performances in Beijing and London were truly the result of hard work and training.

I have no doubt the current crop of cheaters watched Armstrong’s interview, just as Armstrong watched past cheaters’ interviews. I imagine what went through their minds wasn’t, “Man I need to stop this now, look what can happen.” No, more than likely their thoughts were, “They won’t get me.” Cheaters think they’re smart, but they are incredibly stupid. 

Some sports heroes get caught up in the fame and money their achievements bring. They crave it. It’s like power, and they’re power hungry. They’ll do whatever they can to get it. Once caught though, you never hear them say, “I’m sorry I did this.” Nope, there is usually an IF in the apology. That is what I have always said is the non-apology apology. It sounds like remorse, but it isn’t. 

I have no doubt when Armstrong told his son he cheated that was hard for him. Still though the lie continues, because he has not fully disclosed the extent of the doping and that he is sorry he did it. On the contrary, his excuse was the old, “How is it cheating if everyone does it?” He’s sorry .... he’s just sorry he got caught.

Charlie