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LANCE ARMSTRONG

WORLD CHAMPION CYCLIST, OLYMPIAN, AND CANCER SURVIVOR

National and world champion cyclist, two time Olympian, renowned humanitarian, role model, cancer survivor, and now 6-time winner of the Tour De France, Lance Armstrong is clearly one of the most celebrated and charismatic contributors to the sport of cycling. He not only made world headlines in Paris on July 25, 1999 with the most stunning comeback ever in the history of sport, but the personal side of this resounding triumph brought Lance’s life and career full circle. To say that he is an emotional athlete is an understatement. To say that he is a passionate and fearless competitor is evident. However, what may not be so readily apparent is the depth of character and generosity of spirit that is so much a part of the psychological blueprint of this modest and straightforward hero…

The Early Years Born September 18, 1971, Lance’s natural athleticism was nurtured by his mother Linda, a single parent, while his temperament was molded by his participation in a variety of sports in their hometown of Plano, Texas. With the energy of youth, an inherent ability and a decidedly competitive nature on his side, Lance won the Iron Kids Triathlon at 13 and became a professional triathlete when he was just 16 years old. The swimming and running components of triathlon competition eventually gave way to cycling, however, and by the time Lance was a senior in high school he had a rolodex of potential cycling sponsors and a burgeoning career that was quickly replacing nearly everything else in his life. Long rides on Saturdays frequently took him to the Oklahoma border, where he had bicycled so far away from home he would have to call his mother to come and pick him up. Lance maintains that he was “born to race bikes.” The evidence was mounting to support that theory even before he was out of high school.

Lance’s life took on the routine of a world-class cyclist. He spent approximately 8 months a year in Europe racing on the professional circuit. He was attracting legions of fans at every race and learning how to cope with their attention and the increasing curiosity of the media. Off seasons were spent in his adoptive home of Austin, TX where he could enjoy friends and family, far away from the glare of the European press.

Cancer Lance roared into 1996 as the number one ranked cyclist in the world, but the man who had been featured in attention grabbing headlines such as “Du Pont Dominator” and “The Golden Boy of American Cycling,” was literally forced off his bike in excruciating pain in October of that year. Tests revealed advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his brain. A press conference held on October 9th announced the stunning news to the world. This athletic and vibrant young man would be operated on twice in the ensuing weeks – once to remove the malignant testicle, and then dramatic brain surgery to remove the cancer that had spread upward. Chances for his recovery were far less than 50/50 as a frightened-but-determined Lance began an aggressive form of chemotherapy. At the time still in its proving stages, this “cocktail” of chemicals (called “VIP” – Ifosfamide, Etoposide, and Platinol) gave him the chance for a full recovery with far less danger of losing lung capacity as a side effect. While it weakened him well beyond anything he had ever experienced, he had a deep well of reserves and the unconditional support of family and friends. Remarkably, the chemotherapy began to work and Lance gradually allowed his thoughts to return to racing. He began riding and training only five months after his diagnosis, still uncertain of his future in the sport, but a profoundly grateful and resolute man.

Cancer left him scarred physically and emotionally, but he now maintains it was an unexpected gift; a viewpoint that is shared by many cancer survivors. Getting cancer was ”...the best thing that ever happened to me,” Lance said, in relation to the maturity and life focus the disease forced him to face. Throughout this life threatening ordeal, Lance knew his priorities were changing. His physical well being, something that had never been challenged, was suddenly fragile. He was given the chance to fully appreciate the blessings of good health, a loving family, and close friends. Lance described his bout with cancer as “a special wake-up call.” He heeded the call to activism by becoming a spokesperson for testicular and other forms of cancer and formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation within months of his diagnosis. This international, non-profit Foundation was established initially to benefit cancer research and promote urologic cancer awareness and the importance of early detection. Its focus now is on being the world leader in the concept of “Cancer Survivorship” – helping people manage and survive cancer.

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Lance Armstrong

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