In 2003, after a storied career marked by numerous victories in the most prestigious cycling events worldwide, Lance Armstrong officially announced his retirement from professional cycling. Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France champion, had dominated the sport throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s, becoming a global icon in the process.
However, Armstrong’s retirement was not without controversy. In 2012, he was stripped of all seven Tour de France titles and banned from competitive cycling for life by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA). This followed a lengthy investigation and admissions by Armstrong himself that he had used performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.
Despite the tarnished legacy, Armstrong’s impact on cycling remains significant. His Livestrong Foundation, established to support cancer patients and survivors, has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for cancer research and awareness. Armstrong himself battled and survived testicular cancer, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope for many.
Since retiring, Armstrong has been involved in various business ventures and continues to advocate for cancer research and awareness. His retirement marked the end of an era in cycling, prompting reflection on the sport’s challenges and the ethics of performance enhancement in professional athletics.
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