Born on September 18, 1971, as Lance Edward Gunderson, Lance Armstrong is a former professional cyclist from the United States. Recognized for his achievements in cycling, his career is marked by notable successes but also significant controversies related to doping.
The Texan from Plano City, standing at 1.78m and weighing 72kg, started his athletic journey at the age of 12 when he joined the City of Plano Swim Club. From the beginning, he showed promise by securing fourth place in the Texas State Championship for the 1,500 meters freestyle swim. However, his sports trajectory took a new direction when he came across an advertisement for a triathlon, prompting him to try this discipline, where he won the first race he entered.
During the years 1987-1988, Armstrong secured the first place in the US triathlon circuit in the 19 and under category. His talent in triathlon became evident, and at the age of just 16, he became a professional triathlete. During his teenage years, he won the national sprint triathlon championships in 1989 and 1990, showcasing notable dominance in cycling.
This performance was validated by winning the professional competition at the Lombard Week. His outstanding performances allowed him to represent the United States in the road race at the Barcelona Olympics.
Gaining prominence in cycling by joining the Motorola team, Armstrong achieved his first victory at the Trofeo Laigueglia in Italy. In 1993, his career reached its peak by winning the Road World Championship in Oslo, Norway. The following year, in 1995, he triumphed again at the Clasica San Sebastian in Spain and in a stage of the Tour de France.
Diagnosis of cancer in 1996
Everything changed for Armstrong in 1996 when he was diagnosed with testicular cancer with lung and brain metastases. After surgery and chemotherapy, he began his slow recovery.
It was only in 1998 that Lance Armstrong returned to cycling in the Paris-Nice, but he abandoned the race and admits to considering retiring. However, after reflection and with the support of his coach, he chose to continue competing. Surprising everyone, he won the Tour de France in 1999, starting a remarkable streak of seven consecutive victories.
Although he announced his retirement in 2005 after winning his seventh Tour de France, he surprised everyone again by returning in 2008. In 2011, he definitively ended his career, but his legacy was marked by doping allegations, casting significant shadows and sparking heated debates about his achievements.
Confession of doping on a TV show
In 2012, the US Anti-Doping Agency issued a report accusing Armstrong of doping, leading to the stripping of his seven Tour de France titles. In 2013, he confessed on the TV show hosted by American presenter Oprah Winfrey that he used banned substances during his career. From this moment on, his career crumbled.
The sanctions and fines Armstrong faced nearly led him to bankruptcy. The US Department of Justice alone sought $100 million in damages. The settlement was eventually reached at $5 million.
Lance Armstrong Foundation
In addition to his cycling career, Armstrong founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation to fight cancer and raise awareness about the disease. He also wrote “It’s Not About the Bike,” a book in which he talks about his experience dealing with cancer.
Today, he is a public figure in the United States with his own podcast, ‘The MOVE,’ where he discusses cycling alongside his former sports director Johan Bruyneel and ex-teammate George Hincapie.
Lance Armstrong: The Rise and Fall
The National Geographic Channel produced a documentary titled “The Greatest Cycling Fraud,” which examines the US Anti-Doping Agency’s report on Lance Armstrong. The documentary explores how the cyclist and his associates managed to evade doping controls for years, featuring testimonies from case witnesses and experts.
Watch the documentary: