Lance Armstrong

Children's Literature - Elizabeth D. Schafer

When Lance Armstrong was seven, his mother gave him a bicycle. As a teenager, Armstrong excelled at school track events and competitive swimming, cycling twenty miles roundtrip to practices. He combined his running, swimming, and biking talents to compete in triathlons, winning his first competition. Armstrong beat adults in triathlons, gaining media attention. Setting a bicycle time trial record, Armstrong was invited to participate in the 1990 Junior World Championships in Russia. After winning a European race and the U.S. National Amateur Championship, Armstrong competed in the 1992 Olympics. Deciding to become a professional racer, Armstrong joined the Motorola team and trained in Italy. He entered his first Tour de France in 1993, winning one stage prior to quitting because he was not physically prepared for the cold and the altitude. He finished the 1995 Tour to honor his teammate Fabio Casartelli, who was killed during that race. Diagnosed with cancer in 1996, Armstrong endured chemotherapy and surgeries. He continued bicycling, joining the U.S. Postal Service team. In 1999, Armstrong was victorious in the Tour, repeating his win the next year and also earning an Olympic bronze medal. Armstrong extended his Tour streak from 2001 through 2005. The book examines racing technology and strategies and addresses critics' drug allegations questioning Armstrong's remarkable athleticism. Sidebars provide additional race information and quotes. Part of the "Sports Heroes and Legends" series.