Lance Armstrong won the Tour de France, cycling's most prestigious race, seven consecutive times, from 1999 to 2005. In doing so, he beat the previous records of five wins by Miguel Indurain (consecutive) and Bernard Hinault, Eddy Merckx and Jacques Anquetil. Previous to this achievement he also survived testicular cancer, a germ cell tumor that metastasized to his brain and lungs in 1996. His cancer treatments included brain and testicular surgery, and extensive chemotherapy.
In 1999, he was named ABC's Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year. In 2002, Sports Illustrated magazine named him Sportsman of the Year. He was also named Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year for 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. He received ESPN's ESPY Award for Best Male Athlete in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2006, and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Overseas Personality Award in 2003. Armstrong retired from racing on July 24, 2005, at the end of the 2005 Tour de France.
Armstrong's athletic success and dramatic recovery from cancer inspired him to commemorate his accomplishments, with Nike, through the Lance Armstrong Foundation, a charity founded in 1997. The foundation's yellow rubber "Livestrong" wristbands, first launched in 2004, have been a major success, netting the foundation more than $60 million dollars in the fight against cancer, while helping Armstrong become a major player in the nonprofit sector.
Lance Armstrong Speaker
Lance Armstrong is one of the most popular motivational keynote speakers today. His performance as a rider in Tour de France competitions ranks with the greatest accomplishments of any sports celebrity. His story of overcoming cancer and returning to racing to win the Tour de France is one of extreme courage and will motivate your audience.
Lance Armstrong Appearance
Lance Armstrong has made appearances on Capitol Hill on cancer related issues, appearances on behalf of his sponsors, and personal appearances for corporate events.
Lance Armstrong Endorsement
His endorsement partners have included 24 Hour Fitness, Trek, American Century Investments, Oakley, and Nike.
