The Best of America

Lighting up the international sports world, two superb American athletes delivered lessons in grit and the sublime over the weekend. Cancer survivor Lance Armstrong claimed the Tour de France bicycling race--2,255 miles over 21 days--while across the English Channel California’s Tiger Woods, in four rounds of superlative golf on Scotland’s St. Andrew’s course, won the British Open with a record four-day total of 19 under par.

That put the onetime Stanford star in the company of golfing greats Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus as players who won all four major championships: the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open and the PGA championship, with Woods at 24 the youngest champion of them all.

He and Armstrong epitomize the best of America in dedication to their sport. The golfer was a prodigy whose father’s determined hand guided his talents. The Texas cyclist’s will to win carried him through the ordeal of cancer in 1996.

His victory in France culminated with the final push through the streets of Paris, with the 28-year-old Armstrong sipping a flute of champagne. He more than earned it.

What it takes to reach the top is clear in the careers of both young international champions: dedication, family support and exceptional talent. The result is equally apparent. Whether it’s Compton’s Williams sisters winning at Wimbledon or Woods and Armstrong claiming victory, the champions aim high.