Young Olympic Swimmer with Cancer Headed to Beijing

On June 19, just one week before he was scheduled to leave for the Olympic Trials, swimmer Eric Shanteau was informed that he had cancer. Despite recommendations for immediate surgery, Eric has decided to head to China, "hoping to follow the example of Lance Armstrong, seven times winner of the Tour de France, jockey Bob Champion, who was first in the 1981 Grand National, and Oxford Boat Race winner Dan Perkins, all of whom achieved sporting triumphs after recovering from cancer."

The agency that represents Armstrong has already been in touch with Shanteau, who says: “They said that I am the closest thing to Lance that there is on the planet right now. If I can have a fraction of the impact that he’s had, just a tiny little bit, then I think what I’m going through will be good.”

We wish Eric the best of luck as he courageously faces these two big challenges!