Lance Armstrong ... A genetic marvel

His story has inspired people round the globe...n Im one of them.....The first glimpse of him I had was a photograph of him lying in bed nine years ago, his body withered from chemotherapy. another picture showed him, completely bald,
dipping his chin to reveal the six-inch-long, fish hook-shaped scar on his bare skull where doctors removed the brain tumours.

Now, lance is the icon of health, a man so indomitable in the face of every challenge. spanning nearly three weeks and more than 3,548 km, lance's unprecedented seventh consecutive tour de france victory was taken for granted by everyone except him. but, once again, the 33-year-old texan embarked on a harrowing journey of backbreaking mountain climbs and 65-mph kamikaze descents down ribbon-thin roads enduring scorching heat, withering humidity, pain and self-doubt.

Yet, he made the outcome feel predestined. Lance's seven titles are only part of what makes him unforgettable. more than 150 men finish the tour de france most years and many people overcome cancer, too. but lance finished his competitive career as a peerless example of how to navigate all of that—the shock of getting sick, the torture of getting through it and the question of how to get on with your life.

Lance has become an incontrovertible symbol of hope. his five-year-old autobiography, "It's not about the bike: my journey back to life", is now a tome that is widely read.... he reaches something deep in people.... his foundation has sold more than 40 million yellow rubber bracelets bearing a two-word exhortation: 'live strong'.

Even with four or five stages to ride, lance already spoke about spending more time with his children, or replacing his hours on the bike with heated tennis matches against his girlfriend, sheryl crow.... but first he committed himself to ending his career with one last flourish.

On july 24, he drove himself to win the last competitive stage known as the 'race of truth'. one of the announcers remarked it was as if the sky was shedding tears, knowing Lance was nearly through. one by one, the other great cyclists who Lance has humbled over the years pedalled up to pay homage. As he neared the finish line, one of the announcers noted how the sun had come out again, as if on cue. Now and then you could overhear fans shouting, "au revoir, Lance..." and Lance smiled n said "It's time".............