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There are sports legends in every generation, household names that trip off the tongue like Mark Spitz, Roger Bannister, Muhammad Ali, Roger Federer, Bjorn Borg, Eric Heiden, Tiger Woods. In their respective fields they have scaled the heights, achieving victories at levels other athletes, and common humans, can only dream of. How does an athlete achieve this level of achievement? And how does he do it after recovering from cancer? Is it even possible? In the case of one sports legend, the answer is yes.
Lance Armstrong’s unprecedented victories as a cyclist in the Tour de France competitions have brought him legendary status as one of the greatest athletes in world history. He won the top prize in the tour for an unparalleled seven years in a row, from 1999 through 2005. His achievement in this unforgiving race, which calls on cyclists to use every inch of muscle and determination their bodies can muster on a course approximately 2175 miles through the hills and valleys of Europe — and then asks to them to push on and give even more — is an awe-inspiring achievement. Then add to all that Armstrong’s role as a cancer survivor, and his story is jaw dropping on every level. It is utterly insane, and completely inspiring
In 1996 Armstrong was one of the top rated cyclists competing anywhere when he was diagnosed with advanced stage testicular cancer, a disease that is generally fatal within a year for 1/3 of those diagnosed with the disease. With a combination of therapies, and a return to cycling in between rounds of chemotherapy, Armstrong recovered and began to compete again, going on, of course, to his incredible 7-year domination of the Tour de France. Armstrong says as difficult as it was, the fight against cancer gave him perspective and in some ways was the best thing that every happened to him. In acknowledgement, he created the Lance Armstrong Foundation to raise money and awareness for others suffering from cancer. His heroism on the cycling track seems matched only by his courage in the face of a shattering illness.