Right Thinking From The Left Coast
Do, or do not. There is no 'try'. - Yoda

Wednesday, July 21, 2004

French Sportsmanship
by Lee

Reason 86,241,899 to hate the French.

Tour de France director Jean-Marie Leblanc admitted he had seen fans spit at five-times champion Lance Armstrong during the 15.5-km time trial to L’Alpe d’Huez on Wednesday.

Leblanc also said the swarming crowds on the twisting climb had frightened him as riders, including Armstrong, were forced to weave through excited fans who jumped out on to the road.

“I was scared too and I felt relieved when we reached the section with barriers,” Leblanc told Reuters after stage winner Armstrong described the stage as a “bad idea” and hit out at some German fans.

“Until this morning, everybody thought this time trial was a good idea and now we realised it was not so.

“There were lots of aggressive fans surrounding the riders and I even saw two idiots spit at Lance Armstrong.”

“Unfortunately I doubt you can put barriers on the 14 kilometres of the climb,” he added.

I also doubt you can expect the French to act with any modicum of decency or respect.  It’s a shame that such a vile, vulgar people have to ruin such a beautiful country.  The next time I get the urge to go to France I’ll go to Paris Las Vegas instead.  “Everything you like about France, minus the French.”

Posted by Lee on 07/21/04 at 02:48 PM in Europe and the UK  • (3) Trackbacks • Permalink • Discuss this in the forums
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