Just as he beat cancer to return to the top of his sport, Armstrong was too strong to buckle in the face of negative stories in the French press. Armstrong passed all drug control tests conducted during the race and has never tested positive for banned performance-enhancing products during his career. After he was diagnosed with cancer in October 1996, Armstrong defied the odds and returned to win the Super Bowl of cycling. If you said I was going to ride a bike again, I'd say you're crazy. I hope it sends out a fantastic message of hope to all cancer patients and all cancer survivors all over the world.
Cancer is something that touches all of our lives.
But life can go on and you can return to be a better person. To have the governor call me on the podium on the Champs-Elysees while the national anthem is playing, it's fantastic. What an awesome day. He said he's been following it. He wants to see me when I get back.