When Lance Armstrong announced his return to cycling in Vanity Fair yesterday, I could not help feeling some resentment. Even though respecting the man’s incredible achievements, he seems to have an obsessive urge to make his case. It will be interesting to see a retired cyclist trying to return to former levels, and maybe beating his opponents. But that is not what this return is about. It is about politics.

When contemplating whether the Tour’s organisation would allow him to enter next year’s race he remarks that he would contact the French president if necessary. He intends to ride as a human bill board, increasing awareness for the fight against cancer and raising money to research it. His video message struck me when he said that cancer kills more people than tuberculoses and AIDS together. As if there is a competition in the field of fund raising.

When we would spent more of our incomes on fighting cancer, we probably will cure some forms of cancer. But new ones will arise and require more money. New viruses might come up and requiring fresh funds to fight them. There is only a limited amount of money available. A few years ago U2’s Bono and other musicians were using the G8’s meeting to collect money for Africa. Today’s hot topic is cancer. Diseases are part of life. And they should be treated that way.

Armstrong will make cycling the platform, the tool, to put the fight against cancer in the spotlight. Sport is sport, cycling is cycling. It should stay like that. Mixing it up with politics and businesses makes it less pure. It exposes it to deal making and other interests. Besides, the media attention Armstrong is going to generate will put sportive performance of other riders in his shadow. Even if he is not as strong as he used to be. And then, what cause is next? There are so many.

Link to the article in Vanity Fair