Is there any modern day hero who is great enough to be compared to a god? If anyone deserves this comparison, it would be Lance Armstrong, seven time winner of the Tour de France. The mythological hero, Heracles, demonstrates similarities to as well as differences from Lance Armstrong, one of the greatest athletes in modern time. For like Heracles, Lance Armstrong is a strong, clever person with incredible courage. On the other hand, they also have differences, such as Heracles had a bad temper, many enemies, and was immortal, unlike Lance Armstrong.
In many ways, Heracles and Lance Armstrong are alike. According to Greek Mythology,
“Heracles, often called Hercules, was the strongest man who ever lived on earth.” (Parin 132) Likewise, Lance Armstrong’s strength is apparent by his many wins in the Tour de France, one of the most physically demanding cycling events in the world. Also, they both were wise, for “Lance vowed not to get caught in his old trap of going too fast at the beginning and burning himself out.” (Gutman 31) Heracles was also smart when he tricked Atlas into holding the sky back on his shoulders once again. Finally, they both showed tremendous courage, such as when Heracles “approached the lion and strangled it with his bare hands.” (Seton-Williams 34-35) Lance showed courage when he fought testicular cancer and was cured because of his determination and strong will to live. These are just some of the many similarities between the ancient Greek hero, Heracles, and the modern day hero, Lance Armstrong.
Despite all these similarities, Heracles and Lance Armstrong are also different in many ways. Heracles had a bad temper, and once “In a fit of fury Heracles banged his lyre over the teacher’s head, harder than he had meant, and the blow killed the poor man.” (Parin 132)
Whereas Lance Armstrong appears to be a quiet mild-mannered person. Heracles had many enemies, such as when his mother Hera “learned that the infant who had caused her such pain was also Zeus’s illegitimate son, her anger escalated and she became the future hero’s lifelong enemy.” (Allan 66) Lance Armstrong does not have enemies, for most people look up to him as an honorable athlete and a cancer survivor. Heracles was also immortal, unlike Lance Armstrong. “Heracles’s sufferings were over and he had been taken to Mount Olympus to become an immortal and join the gods.” (Allan 77) Lance Armstrong is a mortal man, and despite his triumph against cancer, will not live forever. Even though there are many similarities and differences between Heracles and Lance Armstrong, they are both considered heroes and admired by many people.
