Cyclist Greg LeMond Receives Congressional Gold Medal

Greg LeMond, the first and only American cyclist to win the Tour de France three times (1986, 1989, and 1990), was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. The medal, Congress' highest civilian honor, was authorized in 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson praised LeMond as a model of sportsmanship, excellence, and integrity, while LeMond expressed gratitude and pride in representing America. LeMond's career highlights include overcoming a severe hunting accident in 1987 to make a historic comeback and his outspoken stance against performance-enhancing drugs. He is only the tenth athlete to receive this honor, joining legends such as Jackie Robinson and Jesse Owens. The award recognizes his significant contributions to sport and community, including advocacy for male victims of sexual abuse and support for childhood sports and illness causes.