Battleangel

Another one bites the dust. Another lying, cheating American busted for using what appears to be exogenous testosterone no less. On the one hand, the ‘revelation’ that people dope themselves for professional cycling should really provoke a resounding ‘duh’, but since those whacky Americans made a big deal out of Landis’ win, his professionalism and the career or former cheat Lance Armstrong, this should make the headlines. Not the least because sports today, more than ever, is a portal to the blight of nationalism and because America is pumping not only massive amounts of illegal substances, but also money into a sports program akin to that of China or the Soviet Union in its heyday.

Yesterday’s confirmation that Tour de France winner Floyd Landis tested positive for abnormal levels of testosterone — and that a synthetic form of the hormone was present in his system — poses the latest and most likely greatest crisis for an embattled sport and its premier event.

The news was predictable in that backup, or “B sample,” results rarely contradict initial findings. It officially turned a feel-good tale of achievement against long odds into a horror movie for Landis, his supporters, and cycling fans.

Not to mention America itself. It’s a beautiful analogy really when you think about it: America’s image of itself and its actions. “Driven to win” as WAPO puts it. Because when Americans wrong, whether it be on a bike or in foreign policy, it’s because they were “driven to win” … or because “we are America and see further into the future” to paraphrase one Madeline Albright. Weak, pathetic, not to mention dangerous.

Also pertinent: The way some people stand up and defend Floyd Landis but are at the same time convinced Justin Gatlin had to have done something wrong. Even that Gatlin is ruining things for Ladis. America at its finest.