The Tour de France has reached its end, and so has the career of possibly the greatest athlete of our generation (or even history), Lance Armstrong. Lance is my hero and inspiration, and here's why I love him (in no particular order):
1. He was diagnosed with cancer, had a 4 in 10 chance of living, and did.
2. He made yellow rubber bracelets and sold 50 million of them for $1 each to raise money for cancer research.
3. He won not just one, two, three, or even four Tour de Frances, but 7 consecutively.
4. He made a Tour fan out of me.
5. He's doing something that he loves for a living.
6. He wrote a book that wasn't all frills, but the truth about his battle with cancer and his Tours.
7. He's the reason I'll always wear my LiveStrong.
8. Once you realize all he's gone through, and yet he goes out and wins the most difficult sporting event in the world, your life doesn't seem so bad.
9. He's retiring so he can spend more time with his kids.
10. While competing in a Tour, he used a line from Good Will Hunting. ;)
11. He's the cause for increased bike sales in the United States.
12. He's retiring when everyone still thinks he could have won another.
13. He's the reason many have survived cancer, because they were able to hear his story and fight and win their own battle.
14. He's 34 years old and has accomplished more than anyone will in their entire lifetime.
15. He is driven unlike anyone.
16. This quote: "On Wednesday, October 2, I was diagnosed with testicular cancer...For now, I must focus on my treatment. However, I want you all to know that I intend to beat this disease, and further, I intend to ride again as a professional cyclist."
17. He chose to ride on, through the crowds of people spitting on him, screaming insults, and hurling objects at him.
18. He brought good programming back to cable and is the only reason I would watch TV, if only for 3 weeks (CBS Sportsline).
19. He listens to Pearl Jam and U2!!!
20. He's realized that life does go on, even after beating cancer.
21. He's friends with some of his toughest competition.
22. He's the reason I would check olntv.com every single day to see what was happening in the race.
23. He's been riding bikes since he was a child.
24. He makes you want to try that much harder, give it a little bit extra, to push yourself more than you usually would.
25. He's my hero.
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