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(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
Tuesday, January 20 was a momentous day for Americans as Barack Obama was inaugurated as President, but also a big day for Lance Armstrong, who met Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd on Tuesday after the first stage of the Tour Down Under. Here’s what Lance had to say about three high-ranking political figures who directly or indirectly, have an affinity with the Armstrong and the Livestrong message.
“It was a big day for the United States as we inaugurated a new President. I can tell you that in my three or four meeting with him, he’s been delightful, he’s been smart, he’s been committed.
“You can tell when someone cares about what they’re talking about. Of course, I know he lost his mother to cancer; two weeks before the election, I know he lost his grandmother to the disease. These are all issues I care about.
“I think for the population in general and even for the entire world, we see the first African-American President of the United States, which is a monumental moment, a monumental achievement, and he brings a ton of hope not just for the US, but for everybody all over the world.
“I can tell you I’m incredibly optimistic as an American, but also as a cancer survivor.
“Secondly, some of you know, your Prime Minister Kevin Rudd was at the race [Tuesday], and came back here [to the hotel] after the race, where I was able to spend some quality time with him. We shared both of our experiences with the disease, mine on a personal level, Kevin with his mother – he lost his mother to the disease.
“It was an honor for me as a cyclist to have him at the race, but it was a bigger honor to have him back at the hotel to discuss this bigger issue, and I’m just humbled and ecstatic to commit this country to fight this disease on a financial level, on an awareness level, on a resources level.
“Finally, our thoughts go out to Senator Ted Kennedy, who was at the inaugural luncheon yesterday and had some health issues. I’ve spent a lot of time with Senator Kennedy as well before he was diagnosed.
“I was honored enough to go testify to the Senate sub-committee and talk about his new piece of legislation that he co-authored. [It is] a huge piece of legislation that if we get this passed, will totally modernize our approach to this disease. Just shortly after that, ironically enough, he was diagnosed with the brain tumor and has been fighting ever since. We hope he recovers quickly and we wish him a speedy recovery.”
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