Lance Armstrong Defies Odds Again

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

07 Jan 2009 12:45 PM

The words "super sperm" come to mind when writing this article.

If you haven't already heard cycling champ Lance Armstrong and his girlfriend Anna Hansen are expecting their first child together.

Ordinarily, this type of star baby news would garner a few lines under the "milestones" portion of celebrity rags, but not with Armstrong. The uber athlete, who won seven straight Tour de France crowns after battling testicular cancer, is back on the front page of major publications because of his superior swimmers.

According to Armstrong's handlers, the superhuman cyclist, who has the lung capacity of a whale, has defied modern medicine yet again. Apparently, the bike champ was able to conceive a child naturally with his current flame. This after doctors told the 37-year-old years ago that his intense chemotherapy treatments would make procreating naturally next to impossible. Armstrong was diagnosed in 1996 with testicular cancer that had spread to his brain, lungs and abdomen.

Armstrong has three children, son Luke, 9, and twin daughters Isabella and Grace, 7, with ex-wife Kristin Richards. The children were conceived through in vitro fertilization with sperm frozen prior to Armstrong undergoing chemotherapy. Richards and Armstrong divorced in 2003 and since then the handsome speed racer's Hollywood hook-ups have made headlines around the world, most notably his broken engagement to rocker Sheryl Crow and his bizarre pairing with Ashley Olsen.

Whereas I have nothing but best wishes for the expectant couple, I have to wonder how the baby announcement went down between Armstrong and Hansen. Think about it. You're told that you cannot conceive naturally so you live your life accordingly. Then, one day--BOOM! Hello Daddy. What's more, Hansen and Armstrong have only been a couple for a few months, which makes one wonder whether the pro athlete popped the question no woman ever wants to hear: "Are you sure it's mine?"

And what of the string of women who formerly called Armstrong "boyfriend?" I wonder how they reacted to the news that they could have ended up like Hansen?

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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Heidi (5120) 07 Jan 2009 03:30 PM

I feel bad for Sheryl Crow, because apparently one of the reasons they split up was she wanted kids (and subsequently adopted) and he didn't. Now to find out your former fiance, who didn't want kids, is having an expected baby with his new girlfriend!? Yikes!

Libby Pelham (12397) 07 Jan 2009 07:42 PM

Yeah, that is what I thought - that he and Sheryl broke up because she wanted kids. I mean she adopted not too long after that, didn't she? It all seems a bit tacky to me, but then I don't know the entire details of the romance or breakup.

Michele Cheplic (36006) 08 Jan 2009 10:48 AM

I instantly thought of Sheryl Crow too when I heard this, though she is probably better off without this major player in her life!

drnewmom (274) 08 Jan 2009 07:04 PM

I was kind of thinking along the lines of STDs ... I mean just because they're famous, doesn't mean they can safely have unprotected sex. Who knows, maybe they go as a couple to their doctor and get tested. Anyhow, my point is that just because you're likely (or not, in Armstrong's case) sterile, doesn't mean one shouldn't ensure they are protected... I guess this story just goes to show the body's ability to heal itself.

Michele Cheplic (36006) 09 Jan 2009 04:53 AM

I agree drnewmom, a baby is much better than an STD. Hansen should consider herself lucky in that respect. I agree about Armstrong, his "good news" sure leads to alot of interpretation about the way he conducts himself in the bedroom.