[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 31 (Monday, August 6, 2001)]
[Pages 1130-1131]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in a Ceremony Honoring Tour de France Champion Lance Armstrong

August 3, 2001

    The President. Please be seated. It's my privilege to welcome you 
all to the White House and to welcome my friend, a true champ, a great 
American, Lance Armstrong. America's incredibly proud of Lance, and I 
know two people who are really proud of him as well, that's Kristin, his 
wife, and young Luke. Thank you all for coming, as well.
    We're also honored to have Chris Fowler of ESPN here. I'm so--thank 
you for coming, Chris. I was telling Chris a little earlier, it's one of 
the programs I can watch on TV

[[Page 1131]]

that doesn't say anything about me at all. [Laughter]
    I want to thank the members of my Cabinet who are here. Thank you 
all for coming. I want to thank the Members of the United States 
Congress and the Senate who are here. I see a lot from the Texas 
delegation here that are sure proud of you.
    You all know the Tour de France is perhaps the most physically 
demanding event in sports. It lasts 3 weeks, stretches over 2,100 miles, 
and is often run in both sweltering heat and real cold weather. In the 
end, the race is won or lost in the mountains during 5 days of climbs 
that are incredibly steep and hazardous. That's when the heart is 
tested, and that's when Lance Armstrong excels. In the hardest part of 
the race, Lance reveals an unbending will, uncommon determination, and 
unquestioned courage. He has shown that courage in sport. He has also 
shown that courage in life.
    Just a few years ago, Lance was diagnosed with cancer. He was 
weakened by chemotherapy treatments and told he had a 50-50 chance of 
living. He has done more than survive: He has triumphed.
    One observer commented that when you survive cancer, the French Alps 
start to look like speed bumps. [Laughter]
    Lance's story from cancer diagnosis to a third straight victory in 
the Tour de France is one of the great human stories. It is a story of 
character, and it's a story of class.
    Germany's Jan Ullrich, the 1997 Tour de France champion, is Lance 
Armstrong's chief competitor. The two of them were leading during a 
critical stage of this year's Tour de France when Ullrich lost control 
of his bicycle, missed a turn, and ended up in a ditch. When Lance saw 
what happened, he slowed down in order to allow his chief competitor to 
recover. It was, as Lance said, the right thing to do. We need more 
citizens who know to do the right thing. Lance Armstrong--the guy's 
something else, isn't he?
    Lance Armstrong is a vivid reminder that the great achievements of 
life are often won or lost in the mountains, when the climb is the 
steepest, when the heart is tested. There are many children in this 
audience who are showing similar determination in their fight with 
cancer and other serious illnesses. You face tough challenges, and you 
embrace life day by day. You're showing courage on your own journey, and 
all of us are inspired by your example, as well.
    Ladies and gentleman, it is my honor to present to you a son of 
Texas, a great American champion, and an extraordinary human being: 
Lance Armstrong.

[At this point, Mr. Armstrong made brief remarks and presented the 
President with a bicycle and yellow Tour de France jersey.]

    The President. Thank you all for coming to the White House. May God 
bless you all. Thank you.

Note: The President spoke at 3 p.m. in the East Room at the White House. 
In his remarks, he referred to Luke David Armstrong, son of Lance 
Armstrong. The transcript released by the Office of the Press Secretary 
also included the remarks of Mr. Armstrong.