Remember, we do not talk about the best or the most successful athlete, but about the most important one.
So what is Lance important for? He has shown to the world and especially to sick people, that even after suffering from a heavy disease you shouldn`t give up yourself. That`s , of course, a good reason to be named as an important athlete.
The same size, for me, has Cassius Clay. He gave Africa a bit of pride, showed them that big events must not be necessarily in the western world ( rumble in the jungle )
, showed them that he is an african and proud of it.