To be brutally honest, it's simple economics. If they want to come into cycling, sponsors need to know the team they are funding is clean, otherwise the risk is just too great.
Interpretation
Sponsorship in sports relies on trust in the integrity and ethics of the teams supported.
In this quote, David Millar emphasizes that sponsors are hesitant to invest in cycling teams unless they are assured of the team's commitment to clean competition. The implication is that the sport's reputation, particularly concerning doping, affects its economic sustainability, creating a demand for transparency and ethical behavior in athletes to maintain financial support from sponsors.
In practice
This quote could be used in a speech to aspiring athletes to highlight the importance of integrity in sports.
In the last 15 to 20 years the best central midfielder that I have seen — the most complete — is Scholes. I have spoken with Xabi Alonso about this many times. Scholes is a spectacular player who has everything. He can play the final pass, he can score, he is strong, he never gets knocked off the ball and he doesn’t give possession away. If he had been Spanish then maybe he would have been valued more.
Sports are a great place to show that equality can happen.
When I wear the national team shirt, its sole contact with my skin makes it stand on an end.
I'd give a year of my life if I could hit a homerun on opening day of this great new park.
I watched Ali, studied Ali, and I studied Sugar Ray Robinson. I watched them display showmanship. I watched them use pizzazz, personality, and charisma. I took things from them and borrowed things from them because boxing is entertainment.
A cricketer's life is a life of splendid freedom, healthy effort, endless variety, and delightful good fellowship.
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