While the triathlon community is celebrating 7-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong returning to his triathlon roots by racing in the Hawaiian Ironman, swimmers know that young Lance began his athletic career in the pool and then transferred his incredible aerobic capacity to triathlons where he demonstrated great open water swimming skills from the get-go during his brief triathlon career.

Photo by Bud Symes of Getty Images shows 17-year-old Lance Armstrong getting ready for a triathlon.

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