Nicole Cooke's Retirement Statement

[JoTheBuilder]

This has been doing the rounds on social media today. Quite an explosive read:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/ja ... -statement

[Eleri]

Thanks for posting this Jo. Yes, do read this. It's all about how hard it was to find a race she could even race in as a junior and had to lead the way in getting things changed, the trials of racing in under-funded women's teams, being expected to dope (and resisting the pressure), disappearing women's races.

... and most poignant of all, her dream at the age of 12 to win the Tour de France without realising the reality.

And her dad, riding his bike with energy gels and that being her support car. Fit dad!

[Trouty]

Her quote about the cheats like Tyler Hamilton earning more for writing his one book, than she has from her 11 years of honest labour, sums it all up perfectly. I wonder if Lance will now write a book after crying on Oprah's couch?

[weiyun]

Of course LA will have a book out in due course. If he doesn't want to write it, some journalist will want to write one with his permission.

But seriously, these white collar evils are everywhere, not just in sports.

[Joe]

What an eloquent, timely and well-thought-out statement! Oprah should have interviewed her instead.

[Anthony K]

I think Joe has hit the nail on the head. Nicole 10/10. Lance a LOT less.