Why cycling champ Greg LeMond just got a congressional gold medal
Briefly

Greg LeMond received the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on July 9, 2025. He became the 11th athlete to be honored with this prestigious award. LeMond, who won the Tour de France three times, personified the American cycling spirit of the 1970s and 80s. His career was marked by a significant comeback after a hunting accident. LeMond later became a controversial figure for his anti-doping stance. The legislation passed in 2019 but was delayed due to the COVID pandemic.
Greg LeMond became the 11th athlete to receive the Congressional Gold Medal during a ceremony on July 9, 2025, at the U.S. Capitol, recognizing his significant contributions to cycling.
Born in California and raised in Reno, LeMond dominated American cycling in the 1970s and 80s, winning the Tour de France three times from 1986 to 1990.
Despite facing controversies post-retirement, particularly regarding performance-enhancing drugs, LeMond's legacy as the only official U.S. Tour de France winner remains intact.
The legislation awarding LeMond the medal passed in 2019, sponsored by Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and Rep. Mike Thompson, but the ceremony was delayed due to the COVID pandemic.
Read at www.mercurynews.com
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