Published on 06/15/2007

With his pending retirement Sunday in Paris and all the celebration that will envelope him as a seven-time Tour de France titlist, people will still ask: Is Lance Armstrong a "clean athlete?"

(This article originally appeared in the Sacramento Bee on July 23, 2005, the eve of Lance Armstrong's concluding ride into Paris and the final day of his Tour de France career.)

ST. ETIENNE, France — With his retirement Sunday in Paris and all the celebration that will envelope him as a seven-time Tour de France titlist, people will still ask: Is Lance Armstrong a "clean athlete?"

I've reported on Armstrong for more than 15 years. I've seen him win dozens of races. I've viewed all of his wondrous and bizarre Tour moments and witnessed his interaction with fans and the media. I've seen his bravado and heard his biting wit.

And we know each other some, although I'm not part of his small corps of trusted "journalists," some of whom he seemingly has as employees.

I have no idea if Armstrong has found a way not to test positive. Maybe some report will surprise those who've reported on him or been inspired by his cancer recovery and cycling achievements.

But I know a few years ago after a time trial Tour stage, another reporter and I met with Armstrong in a small countryside hotel. The interview was delayed for an hour.

The reason: The French mother and father of a small boy undergoing chemotherapy found their way to the hotel and left a note for Armstrong asking if he could meet them and their seriously ill son.

There were no television cameras, no photo opportunities, no obligation. Yet, Armstrong found the boy and his parents.

And with a backdrop of cornstalks and vineyards, the four of them walked and talked.

So, is Armstrong clean? Is he the world's greatest athlete? And what of his legacy?

For me, it's simple: It's the hour I watched him walk with his arm around the shoulder of a bald-headed boy one summer evening in the middle of France.