Johannesburg - Lance Armstrong whisked in and out of South Africa this week to promote healthy living and share details of his battle against cancer, his lack of ambition for politics and the training wheels on his son's bicycle.
Seven-time Tour de France winner and cancer survivor, USA's Lance Armstrong, attends a press conference during his day long visit to Soweto, South Africa, Wednesday 18 January 2006. Armstrong visited a feeding centre in Soweto and promoted his cancer survival campaign. It was his first visit to South Africa. EPA/KIM LUDBROOK
The seven-time winner of the Tour de France arrived amid heavy security as a guest of United 4 Health, an awareness campaign of pharmaceutical giant Adcock Ingram that plans to launch a new health care programme.
But, it was a paying audience that were left most satisfied during the 24 hour encounter with the inspirational cycling champion.
Armstrong rushed through the international arrivals hall at Johannesburg International Airport where 200 fans were waiting late Tuesday night.
Those who had come to see his wife, singer Sheryl Crow, were disappointed. She was in Puerto Rico, he explained, before being whisked away to a fancy northern Johannesburg hotel in an Audi A8.
On Wednesday, the Texan made a brief stop at a clinic in Pimville, an area in the sprawling township of Soweto south west of Johannesburg.
Several bodyguards jogged alongside his car during the visit that allowed enough time for a local child to present him with a wire bicycle.
Journalists and photographers were, however, left lamenting the fact that they couldn't get close enough to the famous sportsman with the exaggerated security ensemble.
About 8,000 locals were able to see an interview with Armstrong at cinemas around the country at a cost of 195 rands (about 32 dollars) a ticket.
Here, Armstrong spoke about how surviving testicular cancer changed his life. 'This, the fight against cancer and pushing health care, is my new Tour de France,' he said.
'Its my new race, a longer, harder race. If I can help people to improve their health and perhaps inspire them in some way to overcome their illness, then I'm doing well in that race,' he added.
Armstrong also declared he had no plans to participate in the Tour de France or any other cycling race again, saying he enjoyed following cycling though.
'That's final. I won't race, but I will watch it. I love the race. I think that Jan Ullrich will win it. He looks fit. I still ride every day, but I'm finished racing,' Armstrong said.
He also joked about his young son's experience with his young son. 'You'd think that if there was going to be one kid in the class who didn't need training wheels on his bicycle, then it would be my son, he said.
The 34-year-old was to conclude his visit as the key speaker at a glitzy dinner in affluent Sandton north of Johannesburg on Wednesday evening before flying out of the country.
Organisers on Wednesday said the 2,500 seat, two hour, three course event was sold out. Individual tickets cost between 1,140 and 3,990 rands (190 and 665 dollars).
Cycling is a popular sport in South Africa where an estimated 30,000 cyclists gather for the Cape Argus Pick 'n Pay Cycle Tour every year.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-Agentur 
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