Wooster High alum and cyclist Greg LeMond, the only American to win the Tour de France three times, received a Congressional Gold Medal on Wednesday.

It's the highest civilian honor Congress can bestow on par with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Congress approved the medal in 2020, but the pandemic forced a delay in awarding it.

“It is the highest honor that we can bestow in this institution," Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said. “It honors citizens whose contributions have shaped our country, enriched our history and lifted the spirits of the American people. And much like the American Dream itself, this honor is not reserved for any one person and profession, it can be earned and won by anyone who’s deserving.”

The 64-year-old LeMond is also the first American to win the cycling event.

"After winning my first race, I became passionately obsessed with cycling. And as an American, I believed that if I worked hard enough, anything was possible. So I set my dream of becoming the best cyclist in the world and that meant moving to Europe at the age of 19. I brought an American attitude to the world of cycling. I was open to new ideas, bringing innovation and technology to a very traditional sport and that was a huge competitive advantage."

Lance Armstrong previously held the record for most Tour de France wins at seven, but later was stripped of those wins in 2012 due to a violation of doping rules - leaving LeMond as the only American to have won the tour.

LeMond was born in California but grew up near Reno attending Wooster High School. At age 18, he became the youngest cyclist in the history of the sport to be selected for the U.S. men’s Olympic team. Greg first competed in the Tour de France in 1984. 

He won in 1986, 1989 and 1990.

In 1987, while recovering from a broken wrist and collarbone, LeMond was shot during a turkey hunting accident, leaving him in intensive care and requiring the removal of over 40 shotgun pellets from his abdomen.

“The honor is more than I ever expected, and I accept it with deep gratitude and also with a profound sense of humility,” LeMond said. “Today isn’t just about reflecting on my own journey. It’s about honoring the people, places and the moments that shaped it.”

The Tour de France is more than 2,000 miles long and takes about three weeks to complete.

“I’m thrilled that Nevada’s own Greg LeMond – an icon to cycling fans worldwide – has been recognized for not only his contributions to the sport, but to his community,” said Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV). “Exemplifying both Nevadans’ independence and a devotion to community, he has contributed his time and effort to so many important causes, from childhood sports to victims of sexual assault to those suffering from childhood illnesses. Greg is the model for what the Congressional Gold Medal should stand for.”

A Look Back at LeMond’s Roots in Our Area

As Greg LeMond is honored on the national stage, we here at 2 News Nevada were reminded of his deep local ties. Former KTVN Chief Photographer Jon Gay, who captured much of LeMond’s early racing days in the 1980s, recently reached out to remind us of a special archive: a 1986 video compilation produced by our team showcasing Greg’s rise in the sport.

The footage includes rare clips of LeMond training and competing in Northern Nevada – a powerful reminder of his beginnings right here in our community.

Take a moment to look back at this piece of local sports history and see how far one Wooster High grad has come.