When the term “greatest athlete” is brought up, most people immediately think of football, baseball, basketball, or track stars. The names LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Jim Brown, Walter Peyton, Jerry Rice, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Carl Lewis, even a golfer, Tiger Woods, are brought up in this discussion. One name, one man, however, tops all of them.

Lance Armstrong.

There is no doubt in my mind that Lance Armstrong is the greatest athlete of our time, and perhaps all-time. He is a living symbol for cancer survivors. He embodies strength, determination, and good will. He is everything that an athlete should be.

I dare anyone to go through what the riders in the Tour de France do. Go ride a stationary bike for 100 miles. Keep going; some of the stages go for 130 miles. Stay on that bike for four, five, six hours. Do that for 21 out of 23 days. And for fun, on three of those days, pedal as fast as you can for 25 miles. That's a time trial. And remind yourself while you're doing this: “I'm not even climbing the Alps on this thing!” Some of the mountain stages seem insane to us mere mortals. Listen to this: Stage 17, 105.3 miles, five mountain climbs, 4 of which are Category 1 (a climb of 2700-5000 ft per mountain, with steepness of 7-8%). I cannot fathom trying to do one of those climbs, let alone five in one day.

Lance also competed in triathlons, which are a one-day event, that involve swimming, running, and bicycle riding. He started Livestrong, an organization which is helping in the fight against, prevention of, cancer. His own fight against testicular cancer is well known.

Yes, Lance has had numerous accusations thrown at him. Most for allegedly using performance enhancing drugs. But where are the positive tests? The sport of cycling has one of, if not the most stringent drug testing polices on the planet. Yet, he has never failed one. Every time a report emerges, it is either immediately retracted, or disproved. All the accusations are coming from the French, and the organizers of the Tour de France, whom Lance has made look foolish in their own country.

We should celebrate this amazing athlete, and give him the proper respect he deserves.

Lance Armstrong: The Greatest Living Athlete