If a script began to be written about his life, then the movie would have been shot in the classical genre of melodrama: an athlete who has high expectations fell ill with a mortal illness. Lance Armstrong had very little chance of defeating cancer. Meanwhile, he was able not only to improve his health, but also resumed playing sports, as a result of taking the main award.
Lance Armstrong began his sports career in Plano, Texas. Lance showed his talent early enough, and my mother supported the competitive spirit in her son in every possible way. As a 13-year-old child, he won the children's triathlon, and at 16 he was already a real professional.
In school, he trains with the national cycling team in Colorado Springs. He easily succeeds in amateur cycling : in 1989, Lance Edward Armstrong performs at the World Junior Championships in Moscow. After 2 years, Armstrong won the amateur championship in the United States, and soon transferred to professional sports.
In 1996, the best cyclist in the world performs at the Olympic Games, while being a member of the United States team, and also signs a contract with the Cofidis team from France. And in early October, Lance Armstrong suffered a serious shock. Cancer - such a diagnosis was made by doctors. Later, after a huge number of tests, it became known that the disease affected even the brain and lungs. Lance did not give up and overcame the disease.
And although he went through chemotherapy and surgeries that caused him emotional and psychological trauma, he is glad that this happened to him. Thanks to cancer, he thought about things more important than just cycling. Lance founded a charitable organization - the Lance Armstrong Foundation, which is fighting cancer.
Lance’s absolute recovery seemed magic, and his intentions to resume participation in cycling competitions were considered impossible. Cofidis terminates the contract with him, and he is part of the new US Postal Service team, which pays the athlete $ 200,000 every year.
In 1998, Armstrong won several minor races, and a year later at the Tour de France showed the highest average speed - 40.2 km. He is winning the championship title. Lance Armstrong becomes an international hero. After that, he triumphs in the Tour de France 5 times and receives many sports prizes.
The Armstrong Foundation is becoming one of the most influential charitable organizations. In 2000, the athlete published an autobiographical book, "This is not about the bike." After 2 years, he was named Sportsman of the Year by Sports Illustrated. Armstrong and ex-wife Christine Richard have three children: a boy and two twin girls.
Lance Armstrong and his wife divorced in 2003. At the moment, the cyclist is meeting with the popular singer
Cheryl Crow. The Lance Armstrong Foundation was created to fund research in the treatment of cancer. This organization sold almost 31 million yellow bracelets, which began to symbolize the fight against cancer. Wearing these bracelets has become almost a fashion.