Livestrong

Sports

          In 1995, Lance Armstrong was relatively unknown in the cycling world. By 2000, he had overcome cancer and had won the most prestigious race in the cycling world, the Tour de France. Armstrong first made himself known by winning the Tour DuPont in 1994. He raced in his first Tour in 1995, placing thirty-sixth. In 1996, Armstrong again won the DuPont but failed to finish the Tour due to bronchitis. That October 2nd, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. The cancer had spread to his lungs, brain, and lymph nodes, and he was given a forty percent chance of survival. February 1997 saw his body totally rid of cancer, and he began racing again in 1998. With success during 1998, he was primed for another Tour de France in 1999. In a surprise to almost all spectators, Lance rode stronger than ever and ended up taking the field by over seven minutes. He won again in 2000, 2001,2003, 2004, and 2005.

          During and ever since his 1999 win in the Tour, Lance has had to answer allegations of doping due to his amazing success. Although he has never produced a positive performance enhancer test, many critics still contest his heruclean comeback and domination of the sport cannot be credit to human will alone. In his personal life, he married Kristin Richard in 1997 and they had three children: Luke David, Grace and Isabelle. He and Richard divorced in 2003.