The tragic death of Marco Pantani
By Don Riddell, CNN World Sport
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Pantani's rise and fall was spectacular.
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LONDON, England (CNN) -- Whatever the cause of Marco Pantani's death, the circumstances were tragic.
Just six years previously, he was at the top of his game. The celebrated "double" of the Giro D'Italia and the Tour de France in 1998 made him the toast of his sport, and a national hero in his native Italy.
His rise and fall was spectacular, and the setting for his demise at the age of just 34 could have been lifted from a classic work of literature. Marco Pantani died alone, in a seaside hotel, in the middle of winter.
Many of his friends and colleagues within the tight cycling community were quick to decide the cause of death. Some, like the five-time tour champion Eddie Merkx blamed the Italian justice system.
"After his success in the Tour of Italy and Tour de France in the same year Pantani certainly made mistakes -- but he was targeted by the Italian justice system who never let him go ... I believe it was that that destroyed him."
Twice Pantani was implicated in doping scandals, and was punished for them. But his involvement was never conclusively proven. Last year he was treated for depression.
Another Tour rider Richard Virenque, who has also been tainted by drug allegations, blames the media. He claims they have a case to answer, for "attacking a depressed man."
It seems that Pantani was seriously suffering. His last days were spent in self-imposed isolation in that hotel room. Friends said he had become withdrawn and bitter.
Perhaps the wisest words were spoken by the Italian skier Alberto Tomba, who highlighted the plight of sporting greats whose glory has faded. "For champions it is too easy to go from being loved and exalted to being hated. Pantani found himself alone at the precise moment he was in the most need."
Many a sportsman or woman has pondered the same fate. There are only so many coaching positions, PR opportunities, and vacancies within the media. What happens to the hundreds of others who are forced to contemplate an empty life at an age when professional workers are entering the most lucrative stage of their careers?
Here in England, the alcoholic George Best is tragically providing an almost daily example of life after football. Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson have spent time in jail. And George Foreman suffered two years of depression after losing to Mohammed Ali in Zaire.
Fortunately, Foreman recovered and is now the most affable man in boxing. But the single-minded approach that leads many athletes to the top of their game, can also be their biggest enemy if things go wrong on the way down.
Ironically there was a happy ending for one sportsman on the weekend when Pantani's life was tragically cut short.
The golfer John Daly won a tour event for the first time in nearly 10 years. The two-time major winner battled alcohol addiction and has been through a third divorce -- a colourful backdrop to his slide down the rankings.
Daly described his victory at the Buick Invitational as his most important yet. Sadly for cycling, Pantani will never again know that feeling.
Don Riddell presents World Sport on CNN International at 0930 GMT, 1230 GMT, 1430 GMT, and 2130 GMT daily (also 0030 GMT at weekends and daily in Asia.)
