Lance Armstrong

Lance Armstrong was born on September 18, 1971, in Plano, Texas. He showed early athletic promise, initially in triathlons, and transitioned fully to professional cycling in the early 1990s. By 1993, he had captured the World Championship Road Race title and a stage win in the Tour de France, marking him as a major new talent in the sport. His career took a dramatic turn in 1996 when he was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer. Despite a low chance of survival, Armstrong fought through intensive treatment and ultimately returned to professional cycling, fully recovering by 1998.

Armstrong became a global icon with his unprecedented seven consecutive Tour de France victories from 1999 to 2005. His comeback story inspired millions, and he established the Livestrong Foundation to support cancer research and survivors. However, his reputation and achievements were permanently marred by revelations of widespread doping within his team, which Armstrong denied for years before finally confessing in 2013. As a result, his Tour de France titles were stripped, and he was banned from professional cycling for life. Today, Armstrong remains a polarizing figure in sports history, known both for his inspiring resilience and the legacy of one of cycling’s most high-profile doping scandals.