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Armstrong, Bush discuss cancer research, not Iraq

Posted on: Sunday, 21 August 2005, 16:06 CDT

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - Cycling superstar Lance Armstrong pressed President Bush to boost federal spending on cancer research during a visit to his ranch, but the two did not discuss the Iraq war, which Armstrong opposes.

Armstrong, a cancer survivor and seven-time winner of the Tour de France, was quoted on ABC's "This Week" as saying he set his own "one-day record" for lobbying for money. Bush promised to follow up, he said.

The president, whose favorite sport is mountain biking, went with Armstrong on a 17-mile bike ride on Saturday through the sunflower fields and canyons of Bush's 1,600-acre (640-hectare) Texas ranch. They later went for a swim and had lunch.

In an indication that Armstrong did not overtake the president in the bike ride, a White House spokesman said the cycling champion was careful to respect "the first rule of biking."

"That old boy can go," Armstrong said on "This Week." "I didn't think he'd punish himself that much, but he did."

Bush and Armstrong have been friends for years but they differ on a number of political issues, including Iraq and abortion rights.

Source: REUTERS

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