If Hollywood were to write a scenario about Lance's life than it surely would be a drama. A deadly disease strikes a sportsman during the best days of his life. Contrary to what everyone thought he manages to overcome the disease and goes on to win the most coveted trophy in his field. "It only happens in movies" some might say, but this is a true story...
Lance's story doesn't end with winning the Tour de France. His experience has helped to make him a prominent member of the community that helps cancer sufferers and it motivates him to put in the same passion and dedication that he showed in the bike races towards fighting this awful disease. He has won the Tour de France 7 times and has become one of the most admired persons in this era.
His Career Start
Lance's career started in Plano, Texas where his mother Linda encouraged and nourished her son's talent. At 13 he won his first contest (Iron Kids Triathlon) and was a true professional at only 16. He almost didn't graduate high school when he left for training with the US Olympic Cycling Team to Colorado Springs in the last year of high school.
In 1991 he became a United Stats National Champion, immediately after turning pro and demonstrating his talent by winning the USPRO Championship, Tour de France stages and even more victories in the Tour de Pont. In 1996 Lance was the first and foremost cyclist in the world and participated together with the US team in the Atlanta Olympic Games. In the same year he was signed to the French cycling team COFIDIS.
The Cancer
At the peak of his career he was knocked of his bike by cancer, getting the bad news from his doctor in October of 1996. His life changed forever.
Tests showed that he had testicular cancer which had already spread to his lungs and brain. Although he only had a 50% chance to live, frightened but determined, Lance began a very aggressive type of chemotherapy. At the advice of his doctors he began a treatment that permitted full recovery, without the risk of losing any of his lung capacity as a side effect. Remarkably, the chemotherapy started having an effect and Lance started having hopes of returning to professional cycling.
The cancer left him with deep emotional and psychic scars, but after a few years he would go on to say: "... it was the best thing that could have happened to me". This point of view helped him look beyond cycling and dedicate himself to helping the cancer community. He started the "Lance Armstrong Foundation" to try and help the sick fight their disease.
The Comeback
The fact that he wasn't sick anymore was a miracle but rejoining the pro cycling community was truly amazing. Dumped by COFIDIS, Lance was without a team until the United States Postal Service (USPS) team offered him a place. Even without winning anything his story would be inspiring. But this wasn't enough for Lance. His comeback wasn't an easy one. In 1998 he abandoned the Paris-Nice race during a bout of bad weather. Many thought it would be his last day on the bike.
Later Lance would admit he wasn't prepared to get back to cycling. He goes to Bonne, North Caroline, with his friend and trainer Chris Carmichael. There he learned to trust himself again on the bike.
His first race was also his first win - it was a race organized by the Lance Armstrong Foundation in his hometown of Austin, Texas.
1999 came around and Lance had only one target - winning the Tour de France. From the first stage it was clear that he was going to win it, and so he did! Lance was again an international hero.
He added 6 more notches to his belt in addition to the one in 1999. He received all the honors that could have been received, and became a model and symbol for millions of people. He continues to be a leader and activist in the fight against cancer.
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