Lance Armstrong began his athletic career as a triathlete, but soon realized that cycling was his strength. He began competing in amateur events, winning the US Amateur Championship in 1991. The following year he went professional after competing in the road race at the Olympics in Barcelona.

In 1996, when he was the number 1 ranked cyclist in the world, he was diagnosed with cancer. He was given less than a 50% chance of survival - some say even that number was high to give him hope. He underwent intense therapy and survived the cancer. Two years after being diagnosed, he was back competing on his bike. In 1999 he went to the Tour de France and won. He then repeated that every year until he retired after the 2005 race - a record number of victories, let alone consecutively.

Armstrong has founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation - home to the Livestrong campaign. His life and work inspire people affected by cancer. He is an international hero for his will to live and his drive to succeed.