Lance Armstrong

September 18, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Lance Armstrong, the former world-class road-racing cyclist, was born on September 18, 1971, in Richardson, Texas. He began his sporting career at the age of 12 as a swimmer at the City of Plano Swim Club. At the age of 13, he started doing triathlons. His first triathlon was the Iron Kids Triathlon, which he won. Armstrong became a professional triathlete at the age of 16, and became the national sprint-course champion in 1989 and again in 1990. Due to the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs, Armstrong was stripped of his titles in 2005.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Lance Edward Armstrong

Nickname:

Le Boss Big Tex

Birth date:

September 18, 1971

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Virgo

Height:

5' 9"

Relationship Status:

In a relationship

Net Worth:

$50 million

Background

Lance Edward Armstrong was born on September 18, 1971, in Richardson, Texas. Armstrong became a renowned sports icon after winning the Tour De France seven times in a row from 1999 to 2005. He began his career as a professional cyclist in 1992 as part of the Motorola team. Armstrong saw considerable success throughout the decade before his Tour De France victories, winning or placing among the top athletes in the World Championship of 1993, the Clásica de San Sebastián in 1995, and Tour DuPont in 1995 and 1996, among other European cups. He was a member of the U.S. Postal/Discovery team between 1998 and 2005 — winning his Tour de France titles while on that team. After his doping scandal in 2005, Armstrong retired from cycling but returned to the sport some years later in 2009. That same year, he joined the Astana Team and finished third at the 2009 Tour De France.

He switched teams in 2010 and raced for Team Radio Shack until he retired for the second time in 2011. He now bikes only recreationally.

Career timeline

1990

A National Champion

Armstrong becomes the national sprint-course champion for the second year in a row.

1992

Professional Cycling

Armstrong becomes a professional cyclist.

1999

Tour De France

Armstrong wins the Tour De France for the first time.

2009

Third Place

Armstrong finishes third in the Tour De France.

Why We Love Lance Armstrong

His foundation
After recovering from metastatic testicular cancer in 1997, Armstrong founded a foundation to assist other cancer survivors. The foundation was originally called the Lance Armstrong Foundation, but the name was changed to the Livestrong Foundation.
His contribution to cancer research
Armstrong is very passionate about cancer research and he has been involved in several projects to aid in this endeavor. He was co-chair of a California campaign committee to pass the California Cancer Research Act, and he also helped pass a bill to create the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas.
His charity work
Armstrong has made many contributions to charity over the years. In 2009, he headlined the inaugural charity ride "Pelotonia" in Columbus, Ohio. He helped the ride raise millions for cancer research.

5 Surprising Facts

His name
Armstrong was named after a football player for the Dallas Cowboys, Lance Rentzel.
He had cancer
Armstrong was diagnosed with potentially fatal cancer in 1996, but he recovered.
His children
Armstrong has three children, a son and twin daughters.
He’s into politics
Armstrong almost ran for the position of Governor of Texas in 2005.
He races cars
Armstrong was a pace car driver.