| For years there have been individuals branded | | | | President of the United States, Armstrong has |
| as embodiments of "The American Dream," and | | | | motivated people around the world to |
| now Lance Armstrong has once again raised the | | | | "LiveStrong." The yellow bracelets are as |
| stakes. The Tour de France has always been a | | | | abundant as ever (and caused a universal |
| monumental sporting event, but even when Greg | | | | bracelet craze similar to the ribbon bumper |
| Lemond was in the yellow jersey we were not | | | | stickers craze). Americans value professional |
| as inspired to identify with and stand behind | | | | athletes (the proof is in the paychecks), |
| him as we do for Lance Armstrong. Lance | | | | and if they find an athlete who triumphs not |
| Armstrong is what Americans want to believe | | | | only as an athlete but also as a person, |
| they could be. Even a commercial for Fitness | | | | they cling to him in a childlike manner, |
| USA (not to be mistaken for Nike) shown | | | | wanting desperately to be identified with |
| during the tour represents this concept. | | | | him. |
| Lance runs down a busy street and everyone he | | | | |
| passes starts doing something active. | | | | In addition to winning an unprecedented seven |
| Business people start running like track | | | | Tour de France races, wearing the yellow |
| stars, delivery men start doing curls with | | | | jersey 81 times, beating testicular cancer, |
| water jugs...etc. Look around your own | | | | constructing a world-renown cancer |
| neighborhood or on the streets as you drive | | | | foundation, and retiring at the top of his |
| in your car. Notice how many bikes you see on | | | | career, Lance Armstrong can add "America" to |
| the roads, and think about why all the sudden | | | | his list. If Lance Armstrong ran for |
| people are motivated to shift gears and pump | | | | President (which there was talk of "Lance's |
| up hills. | | | | career in politics,") it would be difficult |
| | | | to find a soul in America who felt confident |
| Ironically from the same state as the | | | | in saying "he can't do it. |