What Michael Rasmussen has learned me as a parent

Some might know who Michael Rasmussen is. He is a retired Danish professional bicycle racer. He was close to win the 2007 version of Tour de France when he was stabbed in the back in accordance with the Jante Law.

Now it is not that he was the only cheater in the game of modern professional biking. The sport is as much entertainment as professional wrestling. The athletes are only up for show and the people behind the sport, the sponsors, the suppliers of equipment and clothes are the real masterminds wanting action and media coverage instead of a pure sport.

Look at a bike firm like Trek. They went after Lemond when he criticized the sport because there was money to earn by supporting a dirty sport. The very moment the media uncovered the truth they turned around the plate and cut Armstrong off like the past was forgotten. It is all about money.

But the individual athlete who could have chosen not to participate in this circus does after all also hold some kind of responsibility. They could choose not to compeed. They could choose to live an ordinary life instead of living out their potential and reach for the stars.

And that is where Michael Rasmussen made the biggest mistake of his life. He should have settled for a normal day job in the supermarket. Look where he grew up! He came from a small village in the western part of Sealand. It is not from that community the rich and famous come from. In Denmark we worship the social heritage. We worship the Jante law. Worre who came from Frederiksberg – a place where only rich people can afford to live – stabbed him in the back at a moment where he should have been quiet. Maybe because Rasmussen got further in his career. Even Worre had previous positive doping tests tainting his CV but that did not seem to prevent his attacks.

Michael Rasmussen is the rider in Denmark who have been punished hardest as result of doping. Why?

Because he had ambitions. Because he went for the top instead of having a fun time with friends building up a network who would stand at his side when times got tough.

That is the lesson I will teach my children. They shall not outlive their potential. They shall build networks and hang out with friends. Schooling and career must be second priority in their lives because I want them to have a happy life.

Maybe then they will not have to experience so much unjust as Rasmussen had.

Sources:

• Michael Rasmussen (Wikipedia)
• Jante Law (Wikipedia)
• VIDEO Analyse: Michael Rasmussens egoisme kostede dyrt (Denmarks Radio – in Danish)

Tour de France honors the man they cheated

Some who still are watching cycling after Michael Rasmussen was cheated in 2007 may have noticed that they played the Danish national anthem during the Ceremony for Contador.

While it by no means can ever replace the loss they have inflicted on Mr. Rasmussen by forcing a manager close to a nervous breakdown to redraw him from the race, it was a nice way to state that they were sorry and did a terrible mistake back then.

As Danes we are happy to receive this confession.

Maybe next year we may actucally watch Tour de France again.

As for Contador he was the real champion in this race, which became his first real win. Of course he is now listed for two victories, but the first one did not count in our hearts.

It will interesting to watch who will be at the top of the race next year. This year a almost impossible route and only two teams competing for the victory made is a boring race. That does not make Contador’s victory less impressive. He wanted to win and he beat not only Saxo Bank who was the only competitor outside his own team, but also teammembers like Armstrong and Kloden, who could have won on their own if he had not been in the race.

Congratulation Mr. Contador.

Thank you Tour de France organization for the apology