What a true champion Lance Armstrong is with his 7th victory in the Tour de France.
He praises the tour itself, his competitors and then turns to the journalists.
Then, in a pointed message to the journalists who have worked overtime to prove that he has won his races by using drugs, he also had a direct message: "To the cynics and sceptics, I say I am sorry that they can't live a dream, or believe in miracles, as there are no secrets to my success. Vive le Tour."
He's humble.
Sheryl Crow shed a tear. Cancer survivors praised his inspirational tale. Rivals and fans fondly bade farewell to a cycling great.
On the day of his last ride in the Tour de France, Lance Armstrong absorbed all of the accolades with a calm smile.
The seven-time champion began the final stage in humble fashion, posing for photographs in front of a chalkboard scribbled with "merci et au revoir" — thanks and goodbye.
He donates his share of the prize money to his team.
Did I say his girlfriend is Sheryl Crow?
No wonder cancer patients around the world look to him as their model of how you can Live Strong.
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"It's Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life" (Lance Armstrong, Sally Jenkins)
The Lance Armstrong Foundation believes that in the battle with cancer, unity is strength, knowledge is power and attitude is everything. A great place to go when first diagnosed, its website provides practical information and the tools need to LIVE STRONG.
Knowledge is Power.
Of course there's his remarkable story of recovering from testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and his brain.
Cancer revealed his great strengths and purpose in life.
Cancer left him scarred physically and emotionally, but he now maintains it was "… the best thing that ever happened to me," This new perspective allowed him to think beyond cycling and focus on his debt to the cancer community. He formed the Lance Armstrong Foundation within months of his diagnosis to help others with their cancer struggles.
His story, his inspiring example and his foundation is his Great Legacy to all of us.
He knows "that every day is precious and that every step matters."