The hypocrisy seems pathological among the stars. And yet we desperately want to believe Armstrong is immune to dishonesty in the same way everyone wanted to grant McGwire a pass in 1998.
Winning tends to heal uneasiness and promote job security.
Armstrong lives as he rides - surrounded by a cocoon of aides and helpers, his gimlet eyes focused on victory.... The self-described atheist has become a deity... but the inquiry's findings may cause the Armstrong faithful to ask, Was the miracle a mirage?