Lance Armstrong Biography

Fast Facts

• Was a professional triathlete at the age of 16
• At 25, was diagnosed with testicular cancer, which spread to his brain and lungs, and was given a 50-50 chance of survival
• Following surgery and chemotherapy, was declared cancer-free the next year, and returned to cycling
• Won the Tour de France seven straight times, from 1999 to 2005
• Was named Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year in 2002
• His foundation's yellow Livestrong bracelets, which benefit cancer research, became a fashion trend in 2004
• Opened a bike shop in Austin, Texas, in 2008 called Mellow Johnny's
• The name was derived from maillot jaune, which is French for "yellow jersey
• " Broke his right collarbone in a crash during a 2009 bike race in Spain; doctors used a 5-inch metal plate and 12 screws during surgery to repair the bone, which had broken into four pieces
• Announced his official retirement from cycling "for good" in February 2011
• Had retired once before in 2005
• Following an investigation by the U
• S
• Anti-Doping Agency, was stripped of his Tour de France titles, his 2000 Olympic bronze medal and received a lifetime ban from cycling