Lance Armstrong At Broadmoor
COLORADO SPRINGS – What better way to raise money for a bikes-for-kids program than to enlist the help of the the greatest rider of them all?
Most of us know Lance Armstrong survived cancer and won the Tour De France race seven times. However, he also graduated from Palmer High School in Colorado Springs, and continues to have close ties to the area.
Armstrong spoke before a crowd of about 600 people Thursday night at Broadmoor Hall. He hoped to inspire them to join and continue the fight against cancer, or donate money to provide bikes for deserving kids. Armstrong was a guest of the local “Kids on Bikes” organization. The group already has donated nearly 400 bikes to kids who are underprivileged or meet certain requirements in school.
Armstrong says his success and ability to help others would not have happened if he hadn’t started riding a bike as a kid. Yet he took it for granted at first. “I didn’t really learn how to ride it until the girl next door, who was the same age as me, learned to ride it–without training wheels. So that really encouraged me. That day, I rode. I don’t even remember her name. But if it wasn’t for her, we might not be here.”
Armstrong says he’s living proof that there’s no limit to the confidence, accomplishments and sense of freedom a bike can give a child, and you never know how it may inspire kids when they become adults. Armstrong’s message is great success doesn’t come without great risk and a fear of failure; and we should always be willing to try, and never give up.
Armstrong told the audience that after he beat cancer, his doctor gave him two choices; to be a private person and not talk about the disease; or to be outspoken against it, and convince others to support him. He thanked members of the crowd who have donated to his causes, and says no one would pay attention to his campaigns if he hadn’t won seven Tour De Frances.
According to Armstrong, 65 million people have bought yellow “Live Strong” wristbands from his foundation to promote cancer awareness.
