The Rambler - Cathedral Prep

Lance Armstrong was only the second American to win a Tour de
France title, the most prestigious title in all of cycling. The first
was Greg Lemond back in 1986. After winning the Tour in 1999,
Armstrong became a sports hero and he brought back a sport to the
attention of America that had nearly been forgotten.
Armstrong transcended the life of just a sports hero, though. His
cycling garnered him much fame, and even still more attention was
brought to him from the tabloid stories of his romances with the
likes of Sheryl Crowe and Kate Hudson.
Unlike most sports stars of today, Lance Armstrong didn't let the
fame he had acquired get to him. He used his fame to spread
awareness for his foundation, LiveStrong, that he launched after he
began recovering from his treatments. Since its founding in 1997,
LiveStrong has raised over 400 million dollars to provide programming
primarily aimed towards helping those living with the disease.
So why would Armstrong just walk away? Many were shocked
when he, a fighter by all means, announced he was done trying to
prove his innocence.
Simply put, "The toll this has taken on my family and my work for
our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today - finished
with this nonsense," states Armstrong.
It seems as if Armstrong does indeed feel a weight lifted off his
shoulders.
According to his Facebook page he spent his first weekend post allegations
in a mountain bike race as well as a marathon. He spoke at
a cancer conference in Montreal and while he was there invited the
public to join him on a training run.
Regardless of whether Armstrong doped, and there is evidence out
there that he did - teammates willing to testify and, according to
the USADA, blood tests that indicate blood doping - Lance's legacy
should remain.
More important than his cycling career, Armstrong has brought
much needed attention to the cancer community. He has raised so
much awareness for the disease that needs a cure, the disease that
is in fact the leading cause of death in this world.
Everyone has been or most likely will be affected by cancer. Lance
Armstrong has given so many people inspiration to keep fighting.
Upon hearing they or someone they know has cancer, many people's
first reaction is to go out and buy the iconic yellow LiveStrong
bracelet. Yellow has become a universal color that, when worn,
shows you do support those living with cancer and are aware that a
cure needs to be found.
Around school students can be seen with LiveStrong backpacks.
On dress down days many kids can be seen in LiveStrong shoes or
LiveStrong t-shirts and shorts. In particular, on any given day
countless students can be seen wearing the yellow bracelet.
Lance Armstrong has created a legacy that goes beyond the sports
community. His no-quit attitude is something we can all draw inspiration
from, and even if he did dope to help his cycling career,
nothing can take away all the good he has done for the cancer community,
all the lives he has touched, and all the people he has given
hope.
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