10 Questions for Lance Armstrong
By Lance Armstrong
Why are you racing again? James Vega, CHICAGO
First and foremost was what I and the staff at my foundation perceived as this global need for an awareness program, an outreach program. Cancer is not an American issue or a South American issue or an Asian issue. It's truly a global issue.
What's going to motivate you to get on the bike again? Anna Beukes, CAPE TOWN
I'm more motivated than I've ever been. Mentally it feels to me like 1998--but with less to prove. When I get in the gym every day, I go for it. I attack it. I feel like that's where I should be. That says to me that even at 37 years old, I will still be able to be somewhat competitive.
Will you consider finishing in second or third a victory? Jeremie Clevy, PARIS
Second place and third place are not first place. Most people would view that as a defeat if you've stated you want to win. I'm not sure that I can win. But if we can be successful going around the world and talking about this issue, I'm willing to get second or third.
I'm 18 and want to be in the Tour. What does it really take to get there? Jonathan James Anger MINNEAPOLIS
It takes a lot of hard work, a lot of natural talent. I'm biased, but I think the Tour de France is the hardest sporting event in the world. It takes a huge amount of sacrifice to say, I think I want to do the hardest thing in the world.
Legality aside, do you think that it's fair for athletes to use performance-enhancing drugs? Julien Deveraux PORTLAND, ORE.
Out of fairness for everybody, you have to set the rules and say, This is banned, this is banned. You cross the line--you go home. We move on.
What can a college student in Africa do to help your cause? Zelalem Dawit ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA
The [cancer] epidemic in Africa is totally different from what we face in the developed world. In Africa, we have to deal with simpler solutions. You don't have the tobacco burden, but you have people obviously not getting any health care, not getting any diagnoses, not getting any medicine. That has to be addressed.
What is the most important thing that friends of cancer patients can do? Farrukh Naz LAHORE, PAKISTAN
The most important thing we can do, outside of medical and financial help, is to simply be supportive. Be great friends. Be loyal friends. You can take away all the medicine and all the other things, but that core group of people that reminds the patient they're not alone is hugely important.
Everyone has advice when it comes to cancer. How do you decide who to listen to? Richard Martin, SYDNEY
When I was diagnosed, I got every concoction, miracle cure and e-mail with different theories. The important thing is to go around. You have the diagnosis; you have the second opinion, hopefully--a third opinion, even, if you need it. Then you really start to weigh your options. Which one feels right? It may not be the right decision, but it's what makes you feel right.
How many more Tours are in your future? Matt Bruhn, INDIANAPOLIS
I know I'm shooting to race one more. I don't want to put an end on it. I don't want to box myself in. There might be two.
Why do you have trouble staying in relationships? Victoria Tullman, TAMPA, FLA.
I ask myself that sometimes. The good news is that I do have great relationships with my children, with my ex-wife. I've had a few personal relationships that the world watched. If you have two or three girlfriends that you decide to go separate ways with, everybody watches that and says it feels like 20 or 30. My life has been an open book, and I've allowed it to be that way. I don't know that I would do that again in the future. The only failure I can see in my life is being divorced. But I've done everything I can to maintain a relationship with my children's mother.
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