Great Moments in Journalism: Chasing Lance
Your many submissions to our Great Moments in Journalism project have left us sick at the state of the industry, but we're gluttons for punishment, so keep them coming. Today's nominee attempts to execute one of the more difficult maneuvers in journalism: the writer's insertion of self into story. After the jump, we follow the Iowa Press-Citizen's relentless pursuit of Lance Armstrong.
There's very little we need to tell you to set up this piece, except that RAGBRAI is some sort of bicycle race, Lance Armstrong is a seven-time Tour de France winner, and that the reporters of the Press-Citizen aren't afraid to ask the tough questions. Here comes the journalism.
While wandering downtown, three Press-Citizen staffers first found out that Armstrong had dinner at Joseph's Steakhouse after talking to an employee at Givanni's.
From there, the staffers scoured downtown asking bouncers and bartenders at various locations if they had seen Armstrong.
Finally, bouncers at The Summit confirmed that Armstrong was inside drinking with his entourage.
Armstrong was seated in the back left corner booth with several others.
After talking to some Lance Armstrong Foundation staffers, one Press-Citizen staffer went up to Armstrong, touched his arm to get his attention and introduced herself to him.
She asked him what he thought of Iowa. He said he thought it was great.
She asked him what he thought of RAGBRAI. He said he was having a good time.
