Meaning: The quote by Greg LeMond, a former professional road racing cyclist, touches on the complex and often contradictory nature of American values and attitudes. In this quote, LeMond points out the apparent paradox between the idealized image of Americans as morally upright and the willingness of a significant portion of the population to make extreme sacrifices for the sake of achieving Olympic gold.

On the surface, the quote addresses the perception of Americans as a "clean" and morally upright nation. The notion of being "cleaner than clean" suggests a self-righteous belief in one's own moral superiority and integrity. This idealized self-image is often associated with the American ethos of hard work, fairness, and ethical behavior. However, the quote challenges this idealized self-perception by highlighting the results of a poll that revealed a significant willingness among Americans to make a Faustian bargain – risking their lives for the sake of athletic glory.

The specific reference to a poll indicating that 65 percent of the population would be willing to risk dying in 10 years for the guarantee of Olympic gold serves as a jarring juxtaposition to the prevailing image of moral uprightness. It underscores the extent to which the pursuit of success and victory in sports – and by extension, in other competitive arenas – can overshadow concerns for personal well-being and longevity. This willingness to make a potentially fatal trade-off for the attainment of a symbolic achievement like an Olympic gold medal challenges the notion of American exceptionalism and moral superiority.

The quote also alludes to the pervasive influence of the culture of success and winning in American society. The idea that a majority of the population would entertain such a risky proposition in pursuit of Olympic glory suggests a deep-seated cultural emphasis on achievement, victory, and the adulation of heroes. This cultural ethos, often associated with concepts of rugged individualism and the "American Dream," can lead individuals to prioritize external validation and triumph at all costs, even at the expense of their own well-being.

Furthermore, the quote invites reflection on the role of sports and athletic achievement in American society. The pursuit of Olympic gold, a pinnacle of sporting accomplishment, represents a broader societal obsession with excellence and supremacy. The willingness to make such a profound sacrifice for sporting success reflects the outsized significance accorded to athletic achievement in American culture, where athletes are often celebrated as national heroes and role models.

In conclusion, Greg LeMond's quote serves as a thought-provoking commentary on the complex interplay between American ideals of moral purity and the cultural obsession with success and victory. By juxtaposing the perceived moral cleanliness of Americans with the startling willingness to risk one's life for Olympic gold, the quote challenges conventional notions of American exceptionalism and prompts a critical examination of the values and priorities that shape American society. It invites us to consider the inherent tensions between the pursuit of success and the preservation of personal well-being, and to question the extent to which the culture of winning and achievement influences our collective psyche.

Sources:
- https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2003/jun/30/cycling.greglemond