Difference between revisions of "Lance Armstrong"
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His accomplishments are even more incredible as he survived after being diagnosed with heart lung and testicular [[cancer]]. The doctors gave him a 50% chance of surviving, but it was actually much lower. Armstrong came back from his illness to retrain and go on to amass his incredible string of victories. After his 2005 Tour-de-France win, Lance retired from competitive cycling. | His accomplishments are even more incredible as he survived after being diagnosed with heart lung and testicular [[cancer]]. The doctors gave him a 50% chance of surviving, but it was actually much lower. Armstrong came back from his illness to retrain and go on to amass his incredible string of victories. After his 2005 Tour-de-France win, Lance retired from competitive cycling. | ||
| − | Armstong is an agnostic having had poor experiences in his childhood from a step-father who claimed to be religious. Lance never became involved in organized religion, although he | + | Armstong is an agnostic having had poor experiences in his childhood from a step-father who claimed to be religious. Lance never became involved in organized religion, although he wears a crucifix to remind him of a fellow cancer patient.<ref>http://www.celebatheists.com/index.php?title=Lance_Armstrong</ref> |
<blockquote>"I don't have anything against organized religion per se. We all need something in our lives. I personally just have not accepted that belief."</blockquote> | <blockquote>"I don't have anything against organized religion per se. We all need something in our lives. I personally just have not accepted that belief."</blockquote> | ||
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| + | ==Doping Allegations== | ||
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| + | Throughout the latter half of his career Armstrong received negative media attention due to allegations of taking performance enhancing drugs. These allegations were never substantiated and his reputation as a fair competitor remains strong. At one stage, Lance described himself as the most tested (for drugs) athlete in the world. | ||
==After Retirement== | ==After Retirement== | ||
Revision as of 01:57, January 17, 2012
Lance Armstrong (b. 1971) is an American professional cyclist who won the Tour-de-France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005. Armstrong is the second American to win the Tour-de-France; the first was Greg LeMond in 1986. Armstrong also competed in the Olympics, in 1992, 1996, and 2000. In the 2000 Olympic games, held in Sydney, Australia, he won a bronze medal. [1]
His accomplishments are even more incredible as he survived after being diagnosed with heart lung and testicular cancer. The doctors gave him a 50% chance of surviving, but it was actually much lower. Armstrong came back from his illness to retrain and go on to amass his incredible string of victories. After his 2005 Tour-de-France win, Lance retired from competitive cycling.
Armstong is an agnostic having had poor experiences in his childhood from a step-father who claimed to be religious. Lance never became involved in organized religion, although he wears a crucifix to remind him of a fellow cancer patient.[2]
"I don't have anything against organized religion per se. We all need something in our lives. I personally just have not accepted that belief."
Doping Allegations
Throughout the latter half of his career Armstrong received negative media attention due to allegations of taking performance enhancing drugs. These allegations were never substantiated and his reputation as a fair competitor remains strong. At one stage, Lance described himself as the most tested (for drugs) athlete in the world.
After Retirement
In October 2007 Lance made the news by supporting an Oregon cigarette tax that would use the proceeds to help fund health insurance for children. In Oregon he has a great deal of pull having just hosted a charity event that raised 2 million dollars.[3]
In 2008 Armstrong announced that he would return to professional cycling and compete in the 2009 Giro d'Italia and the 2009 Tour-de-France, as well as other races on the professional circuit.[4] For the 2009 season, he has joined Team Astana. [5]