Reading comprehension.
An Unbelievable Triumph
1. National and world champion cyclist, two-time Olympic medal winner, famous humanitarian, role
model, cancer survivor, and now 7-time winner of the Tour De France, Lance Armstrong is clearly
one of the most famous participants in the sport of cycling. He not only made world headlines in
Paris on July 25, 1999 with the most stunning comeback ever in the history of sport, but the personal
side of this unbelievable triumph brought Lance's life and career full circle. He is an emotional,
passionate, and fearless competitor. He is modest and straightforward, with the depth of character
and largeness of spirit that makes him a hero to all.
2. 1989, as a senior in high school, he had a Rolodex of potential cycling sponsors and a career that
was quickly taking the place of nearly everything else in his life. Despite his young age, Lance
qualified to train with the U.S. Olympic developmental team in Colorado Springs, Colorado during his
senior year. By 1991 he was the U.S. National Amateur Champion, and he remained an amateur
competitor through the 1992 Olympic games in Barcelona. His first professional race after this
Olympic experience was the 1992 Classico San Sebastian. Lance's life took on the routine of a
world-class cyclist. He spent approximately 8 months a year in Europe racing on the professional
circuit. He was attracting large numbers of fans at every race and learning how to cope with their
attention and the increasing curiosity of the media. When he wasn't in competitions, he spent his
time in his home in Austin, TX where he could enjoy friends and family, far away from the glare of
the European press.
3. Then came the unexpected blow. In October of 1996, he was forced off his bike in excruciating
pain. He was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his brain.
A press conference held on October 9th announced the sad news to the world. This athletic and
vibrant young man would be operated on twice in the coming weeks - once to remove the malignant
testicle, and then dramatic brain surgery to remove the cancer that had spread to the brain. Chances
for his recovery were far less than 50/50 as a frightened-but-determined Lance began an aggressive
form of chemotherapy.
4. Remarkably, the chemotherapy began to work and Lance gradually allowed his thoughts to return
to racing. He began riding and training only five months after his diagnosis, still uncertain of his
future in the sport, but a profoundly grateful and resolute man. Cancer left him scarred physically
and emotionally, but he now maintains it was an unexpected gift; a viewpoint that is shared by many
cancer survivors. Getting cancer was "...the best thing that ever happened to me," Lance said, in
relation to the maturity and life focus the disease forced him to face. Throughout this life-threatening
ordeal, Lance knew his priorities were changing. His physical well-being, something that he had
always taken for granted, was suddenly fragile. He was given the chance to fully appreciate the
blessings of good health, a loving family, and close friends. Lance described his bout with cancer as
"a special wake-up call."
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