Cycling through the highs and lows of life-Lance Armstrong
Many people in history have gone on to say 'I can be destroyed but cannot be defeated'. But rarely do we hear a man roar in the face of nature and say, “I could neither be destroyed nor defeated”.
The record breaking seven times consecutive winner of the Tour de France is known as Lance Armstrong. Only a few years, he was back fighting with a third stage cancer, struggling in a hospital bed trying to save his life and his career. Lance Edward Armstrong was born on September 18, 1971, who is undoubtedly, the world's best professional road racing cyclist. On October 2, 1996, Lance was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancers at a young age of 25 years, a time when he was at the peak of his cycling prowess. Even at the time of diagnosis, the dreaded cancer cells had spread to his lungs, abdomen and brain. But his rock solid will power and desire to live and taste, the fruits of unmatched triumph kept him going.
Armstrong began his sporting career as a swimmer at a tender age of 12 years. However, he drifted from swimming and started cycling. Right from the beginning, he made his mark as an extraordinary cyclist. In the 1987-1988 seasons, he was ranked as the number one triathlete in the under-19 group. In the year 1987, his total point as an amateur was better than the five professionals ranked that year.
As years passed by, his kept polishing his skills. In 1993, Armstrong went ahead to win 10 one-day events and stage races and eventually stood as the youngest riders to win the UCI Road World Championship. Later in the year, he also won the World Cycling Champion as well. In the same year, he also became the U.S. National Cycling Champion, proving his art to all and sundry. Clásica de San Sebastián was yet another victory for Armstrong who bagged the title in the year 1995. His successes continued into the following year as he won the La Flèche Wallonne title as well. It was at this time during the peak of his career that Armstrong was diagnosed with stage three testicular cancers. But the man who was nick named ‘The Boss’ was ready for the toughest ride of his life to survive.
By January 1998, Armstrong went to Europe to race for the U.S. Postal team. It was during this race that he fought against the disease engaged himself into serious training for the races. The following years brought more feathers to his cap after winning the ABC Wide World of Sports Athlete award in 1999. The cyclist from American went ahead to win the Prince of Asturias award in sports in 2000. He was crowned as the sportsman of the year by Sports Illustrated magazine in 2002. For the years 2002 to 2005, he was named as the Associated Press Male Athlete as well. Furthermore, he secured ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006. He also won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year’s Overseas Personality Award in 2003.
With the endless list of titles and awards after his seventh consecutive Tour de France win, he announced his retirement but returned to competitive cycling in January 2009, grabbing the third place in the race.
Lance Armstrong's suffering and endurance during his struggle against cancer made him lay the foundation of the Lance Armstrong Foundation for cancer research and support. He is often seen on television every now and then for his intention to involve in politics. But in a May 2006 interview with Sports Illustrated, Armstrong said, "I need to run for one office, the presidency of the Cancer Fighters'.
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