code: def friends(self):
          
          if self._friends is None:
              self.assert_bind_client()
              if self.friend_count > 0:
                  self._friends = self.bind_client.get_athlete_friends(self.id)
              else:
                  # Shortcut if we know there aren't any
                  self._friends = []
          return self._friends
docs: :return: Iterator of :class:`stravalib.model.Athlete` friend objects for this athlete.