Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong is an American former professional cyclist, best known for his seven consecutive Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005, achievements later stripped due to a doping scandal. Born on September 18, 1971, in Plano, Texas, Armstrong showed exceptional athletic talent from a young age. He began his career as a triathlete, winning national titles as a teenager before transitioning fully to professional cycling.

In 1996, at the peak of his early career, Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain. Despite a grim prognosis, he underwent aggressive treatment and made a remarkable recovery, returning to professional cycling with renewed determination. His comeback was capped by an unprecedented dominance in the Tour de France, making him a global icon and symbol of resilience.

Armstrong co-founded the Livestrong Foundation (formerly the Lance Armstrong Foundation), which raised millions of dollars for cancer awareness and research. His story inspired millions and transcended sports, making him a household name worldwide.

However, his career faced a dramatic fall from grace when investigations revealed widespread doping within cycling and his own involvement in performance-enhancing drug use. In 2012, he was stripped of his Tour de France titles and banned from professional cycling. Armstrong admitted to doping in a 2013 interview, sparking widespread controversy and criticism.

Today, Armstrong remains a polarizing figure, admired by some for his perseverance and charity work and criticized by others for his role in one of the biggest scandals in sports history.