Sports Stars Who Fought Cancer
Lance Armstrong survived his bout with testicular cancer and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles. Reports now suggest the American is planning a comeback. Click through to see other sports figures who have battled cancer.
Peter Dejong, AP
Swimmer Eric Shanteau found out he had testicular cancer a week before qualifying for the Olympic team, but he postponed treatment so he could compete in Beijing. After coming up short in his bid to win a medal in the men's 200-meter breaststroke he returned home and underwent surgery.
Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images
Former NBA player Wayman Tisdale, seen here in 2006, had part of his leg amputated because of bone cancer. "This may sound drastic, but I have put it in God's hands and now have peace, knowing that this is the best way to put this disease in check," he said.
Brad Barket, Getty Images
Jim Calhoun underwent 33 radiation sessions over the summer to battle skin cancer, and now the UConn hoops coach expects to be recovered in time for the new season.
Ned Dishman, Getty Images
Maarten van der Weijden, who was given only a slim chance of survival after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, swims past the favorites to win a gold medal in one of the most grueling events of the Olympics.
Robert F Bukaty, AP
Bruce Snyder, who has coached football at Arizona State, California and Utah State, admitted in July that he has cancer through a statement released by Arizona State's sports information office.
Tom Hauck, Getty Images
Bobby Murcer, who was one of the most popular figures in Yankees history, died of brain cancer on July 12. He had been diagnosed with the disease on Christmas Eve of 2006.
Julie Jacobson, AP
Less than two months after his surgery for thyroid cancer, Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis made a triumphant return to the mound on May 23, giving up only one run in seven innings.
John Bazemore, AP
Red Sox pitcher Jon Lester survived a treatable form of large cell lymphoma in late 2006, which is now in remission. Lester, who also won the deciding game of the 2007 World Series, hurled the first no-hitter of 2008 against the Royals on May 19.
Charles Krupa, AP
Former Tennessee star Chris Lofton said he underwent treatment for testicular cancer after a random drug test at the 2007 NCAA Tournament revealed he potentially had a tumor.
Streeter Lecka, Getty Images
The report, citing "sources familiar with the developing situation," says:
Armstrong, who turns 37 this month, will compete in the Amgen Tour of California, Paris-Nice, the Tour de Georgia, the Dauphine-Libere and the Tour de France - and will race for no salary or bonuses, the sources, who asked to remain anonymous, told VeloNews.
Armstrong's manager, Mark Higgins, did not respond to questions.
However sources close to the story have told VeloNews that an exclusive article on the matter will be published in an upcoming issue of Vanity Fair, expected later this month.
Rumors of Armstrong's return swirled at last week's Eurobike trade show in Germany and this week's Tour of Missouri.
In an effort to prove that he doesn't use performance-enhancing drugs, Armstrong will reportedly post information about his blood tests online.
Lance Armstrong
In this photo provided by Alex Fenlon, Lance Armstrong crosses the finish line of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, in Leadville, Colo. Armstrong finished second. (AP Photo/Alex Fenlon) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Alex Fenlon, Dave Wiens, left, leads Lance Armstrong as they approach the halfway point of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, in Leadville, Colo. Wiens went on to win the race, with Armstrong second. (AP Photo/Alex Fenlon) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Alex Fenlon, Dave Wiens, left, leads Lance Armstrong just after the halfway point of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, in Leadville, Colo. Wiens went on to win the race, with Armstrong second. (AP Photo/Alex Fenlon) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this photo provided by Alex Fenlon, Dave Wiens crosses the finish line of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, in Leadville, Colo. Lance Armstrong finished second. (AP Photo/Alex Fenlon) ** NO SALES **
AP
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, particiaptes in a press conference titled a "national call to action on cancer prevention and survivorship" on July 23, 2008 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Tim SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Lance Armstrong, founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, speaks at a press conference titled a "National Call to action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship" on July 23, 2008 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO / TIM SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Former US Surgeon General Antonia Novelloon (L) speaks, as cyclist Lance Armstrong (2nd-L), founder and chairman of the Lance Armstrong Foundation; former Surgeon General Richard Carmona (C), former Surgeon General David Satcher (2nd-R) and former Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders listen during a press conference titled a "National Call to action on Cancer Prevention and Survivorship" on July 23, 2008 at the National Press Club in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO / TIM SLOAN (Photo credit should read TIM SLOAN/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US George Hincapie (Columbia/US), national champion (1998-2006), and the only rider who rode with compatriot Lance Armstrong in each of his seven Tour de France victories, competes, on July 8 2008, during the 29-km individual time-trial and fourth stage of the 2008 Tour de France cycling race run around Cholet. German Stefan Schumacher (Gerolsteiner/Ger) clocked in 35mn44sec. AFP PHOTO PASCAL PAVANI (Photo credit should read PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US George Hincapie (Colombia/US), national champion (1998-2006) and the only rider who rode with compatriot Lance Armstrong in each of his seven Tour de France victories, poses during a press conference presenting the new jersey of US cycling team Colombia (ex-High Road), on July 4 2008 in Brest, Brittany, western France, on the eve of the start of the 2008 Tour de France cycling race. Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres. AFP PHOTO PASCAL PAVANI (Photo credit should read PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
US George Hincapie (Colombia/US) (4th L), national champion (1998-2006) and the only rider who rode with compatriot Lance Armstrong in each of his seven Tour de France victories, poses with teammates during a press conference presenting the new jersey of US cycling team Colombia (ex-High Road), on July 4 2008 in Brest, Brittany, western France, on the eve of the start of the 2008 Tour de France cycling race. Running from Saturday July 5th to Sunday July 27th 2008, the 95th Tour de France will be made up of 21 stages and will cover a total distance of 3,500 kilometres. AFP PHOTO PASCAL PAVANI (Photo credit should read PASCAL PAVANI/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Comments (Page 1 of 4)
NOT suprised.. I have respect for his cancer fight, but sounds like he retired to avoid the olympics.. Didn't want to take the risk of being beaten.. All of these athletes that retire should not be allowed to come back period. Once you call it quits, that's it......
You sound like a typical has been and never was. You are probably the guy that knows every player on the 1959 Yankees but can't even hit the ball out of the infield in a T-Ball game. Just stick to eating your twinkies and drinking your 2 liters of Coke every day of the week and let the world class athletes take care of themselves.
how silly. anyone can do anything they want in sports. retire 20 times and come back as long as they compete
personally i dont think he has the balls to
What a maroon. You think he retired 3 years in advance to avoid the Olympics? What sense does that make? If he didn't want to compete in the Olympics, he just wouldn't. What are you, French?
You sound like the Eurotrash who were all over him for winning #7, saying it was disrespectful of 5 time winners to go them 2 better. You're an idiot. Lance is the greatest cyclist who ever climbed on a bike.
He inspired me to get back on a bike after each of my 2 heart transplants. He is a true God of Cycling, and you are a putz.
the french are shaking in their fear of lance! they will stop at nothing to discredit him!
Yes or No? Lance Armstrong to race Tour de France '09, will he win? [VOTE] - http://www.thriveorfail.com/b1b4d
If he does race, he won't be much of a factor. They are better equipped to detect performance enhancing drugs now then when he last raced. Without those drugs, he will be just another racer in the group
The item about the drug testing is interesting. Any word on if he's doing the "passport" style testing? Is he going to post detailed information, or just 'clean' or something for each stage?
08 Tour was one of the lowest rated in history . Im sure France begged Lance back
A blog post at http://bicyclespokesman.com/lance-armstrong-will-come-out-of-retirement/ has more details.
I guees he can now come back since time helped him to be clean.
A source very close to the sport told me that Lance "retired" to serve out a quiet suspension for steroids. The guise of retirement was agreed to by everyone.
A friend of mine, who is also close to the sport, told me that YOU ARE AN IDIOT...
Bullshit. Moron.
He's A Doper!
Are you kidding me?? The French hated the fact than an American won 7 Tours, something that probably NO ONE will ever surpass.
Drugs?? The French and the Tour tested him more than any other athlete in the history of the Tour and he passed EVER single test. I am amazed that some people want to believe he cheated.
I watched his Tours on TV and in the last one, you could see he was aging. He relied on his team much more than in years past.
when someone is great don't just assume steroids!
GAS, I feel like pounding your face in for that stupid, ignorant comment!
What a buch of jealous c-cksuckers on this site. Lance is the baddest son of a bitch there ever was!