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We know that the testing procedures can be fallible and the human species equally culpable. The historical ethos of competitive cycling is as drug-laden as any commercial sport in the world. We know that people can make mistakes and that some have mistakes made for them. The minute that the New York Times printed the leaked test results from the French lab Landis was arraigned in the court of public opinion. The evening that Letterman came out with his "Top Ten Floyd Landis Excuses," he was found guilty. Those who just couldn't sit well with yet another American champion prepare to hand down their sentence. In a brilliant tactical move, Floyd Landis has placed his entire defense of the charges online (www.floydlandis.com). It is perhaps, the single greatest case of Cyber Ethics put forth in our post-electronic society. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and its national affiliates are forbidden to comment now. The case is in the hands of the lawyers and the courts, which is to say, it will get curiouser and curiouser. But we'll never really know, will we? And quite honestly, the way immediate and mass opinion railed against Landis, we don't deserve the truth in this case. We need only to be reminded of "due process." And as it exists in the courts, it should exist in our hearts. Sport is complicated and played for mortal stakes. You can wish for all the sandbox purity of play at the highest levels you want. But the public has asked for and is bearing witness to the most amazing feats of human achievement. We wanted to see 75 home runs hit in a season, and we're willing to make that man a king for doing it. We also wanted our Manifest Destiny and were willing to turn a blind eye to Native American genocide and illegal and immoral Mexican land grabs. Whether a spouse, a country or a sport – we can't have it all. If you want to see a human being run 100 meters in less than 10 seconds, don't pay him a million bucks to do so. Pay more than a living wage to teach children the joy and benefits of running for free. If you want a democratic judicial system, blow up your television. Look in the eyes of the accused and decide for yourself. Or better yet, don't decide. Go do what Floyd Landis wants to do more than anything, even more than proving his innocence. He wants to wake up in the morning, hop on a two-wheeled toy, roll down his driveway, wave at his neighbors headed off to work, and feel the warm sun on the side of his face as he thanks his creator. He'll appreciate more than we know, his legs that go up and down smoothly as he faces an uncertain path, knowing some things he can control and others he is controlled by. More than anything, Floyd Landis just wants to be left alone to ride his bike. But I suppose that's a lot to ask. Scott Tinley is an author, lecturer, two-time Ironman World Champion and member of the Ironman Hall of Fame. You can contact him at
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