Floyd Floored

What's a sport? Some people say judged events aren't sports. Thus, figure skating isn't a sport. However, there's judging in football. Sure, there are rules to define a score, but sometimes it's close, and a judge makes a decision. Figure skating is judged even more so since it's not clear what counts. It's not like they add the number of triple jumps successfully landed, plus the amount of spins you make. There is a judgement on the artistry.

This is not to say that judging is bad. After all, people have opinions on movies, music, and so forth. All of those things are judged too.

Some people would qualify athletics as part of it. In that case, figure skating ought to count. There is skill and endurance.

But how about golf? You don't have to be that fit to golf, but you do require skill. But then darts requires skill too.

Is racing a sport? How much strategy is there? You can jostle some, but you're not supposed to tackle or trip someone.

One might argue that, say, the Tour de France is not a sport. It's whoever can go faster. But upon closer look, there is a lot of strategy, that takes into account what your own strengths are, what your team's strength is, and how the rest of the field is.

For as many times as Lance Armstrong raced, he also had an excellent team to surround himself with. A good team helps you conserve energy. Without someone blocking the wind, or setting pace, the leader of a team can wear out.

Floyd Landis found himself the favorite. He had held the lead, then given it up to Pereira, apparently a good friend, then took it back, only to severely give it back again, all because his team was not strong enough to help him out on a difficult mountain stage.

While his main rivals had two, three, even four teammates helping out, Landis was left by himself or with one other teammate, and one against many is not enough to win. He lost eight minutes on the second day of a mountain climb. He said he's done for. There's no way to make up that much time. Maybe three or four minutes he could have managed, but not this much time.

Pereira retook the lead, but felt bittersweet about doing so. He wanted to battle Landis, not have him fade so badly after taking a slim ten second lead.

By the time Landis next races, he'll have a new hip, and the question is how he'll fare. With top contenders out due to doping scandal, this was his best chance, and he's seen it slip away. Anyone following this should gain a better appreciation of the team, and how Lance Armstrong might not have won so many times had he not had a good team that stayed healthy and did the right thing.