CYCLIST LANCE ARMSTRONG TO HOST ESPY AWARDS

Last updated: Monday, February 27, 2006

CYCLIST LANCE ARMSTRONG TO HOST ESPY AWARDS

Lance Armstrong will have something to keep his mind off a certain cycling competition in July: He'll be hosting the 14th annual ESPY Awards, officials said Monday.

Armstrong, who retired from Tour de France after his record seventh consecutive win last year, is the first athlete to host the ceremony that recognizes leading sports performances and athletes.

Armstrong has his share of ESPYs. He was named best comeback athlete in 2000 and was honored as best male athlete for the last three years. He's a likely nominee this year for his final Tour de France victory.

The awards show, scheduled for July 16 at the Kodak Theatre and airing on ESPN, supports The V Foundation for Cancer Research and also will benefit the Lance Armstrong Foundation this year, an ESPN spokeswoman said.

Armstrong, 34, recovered from testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain to become dominant in one of sport's most grueling events.

He started his foundation in 1997 to help provide information and resources to those with cancer. The V Foundation was established by ESPN with Jim Valvano, the ex-college basketball coach and analyst for ABC and ESPN who died of the disease in 1993.

Last week, musician Sheryl Crow, 44, Armstrong's former fiancee, said she was recovering from breast cancer surgery and expected to make a full recovery.

"Once again I'm reminded of just how pervasive this illness is, as it has now touched someone I love deeply," Armstrong said in a statement.

He asked that Crow's fans keep her "in your thoughts and prayers." The pair announced earlier this month they were splitting up.

Last fall, Armstrong toyed publicly with returning to competitive cycling in part because he knew it would annoy French media that allege his Tour wins are tainted by drug use. Armstrong dismissed the reports as a "smear campaign" and has denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

LANCE ARMSTRONG and SHERYL CROW 33rd Annual American Music Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium - Arrivals Los Angeles, California - 22.11.05

| Monday, February 27, 2006

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