Cyclist Greg LeMond one step closer to Congressional Gold Medal

Legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to American cyclist Greg LeMond passed the Senate on Monday and now heads to the president’s desk to be signed into law.

The bill was co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto and California Rep. Mike Thompson.

“Greg LeMond represents the best of American sportsmanship. One of our greatest athletes, Greg is the only American to win the Tour de France — a feat he accomplished three times. Throughout his career, Greg repeatedly exemplified the principles of healthy competition, honesty, and selflessness, putting team success ahead of his own. In retirement, he’s dedicated his life to serving and supporting children, veterans, medical research and other causes through his charitable work,” Thompson said in a news release.

Lance Armstrong, the top finisher in seven straight Tour de France competitions from 1999 to 2005, was stripped of his titles after being charged with using performance-enhancing drugs in 2012. Floyd Landis' 2006 Tour de France victory was stripped in 2007.

More:LeMond's story inspires biography

First American to win Tour de France

LeMond was born in California but raised near Reno, Nevada, where he attended Wooster High School.

At 18, he became the youngest cyclist in the history of the sport to be selected for the U.S. men’s Olympic team. He first competed in the Tour de France in 1984, finishing third.

In the 1986 Tour de France, he defeated the field by more than three minutes, becoming the first American and the first non-European to win cycling’s most prestigious race.

In 1987, while recovering from a broken wrist and collarbone, LeMond was shot during a turkey hunting accident, leaving him in intensive care and requiring the removal of more than 40 shotgun pellets from his abdomen.

Following multiple surgeries, LeMond mounted a comeback, winning the 1989 Tour de France by eight seconds in the closest finish in the history of the Tour.

He went on to win a third Tour de France victory in 1990.

Congressional Gold Medal

The bill passed the House in September 2019. The Congressional Gold Medal is one of the highest civilian awards in the nation and seeks to honor those “who have performed an achievement that has an impact on American history and culture that is likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field long after the achievement.”

These medals are only awarded through Acts of Congress and the bills must be co-sponsored by two thirds of the membership of both the House and the Senate before being considered for a vote.

LeMond, 59, is the 10th individual athlete to receive this prestigious medal. Others include Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer.

Next, the bill has to be signed by President Donald Trump.

Follow Jim Krajewski on Twitter @RGJPreps.