The year-long process to award three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond one of America's highest civilian honors will come to a conclusion this week as the U.S. Congress passed legislation to award LeMond the Congressional Gold Medal.

The bill to award the medal to Lemond in 2019 was sponsored by Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-05), the only American to win the Tour de France, who has spoken out in support of "healthy sports, victims of sexual abuse, and various The award was given to the Lakewood, California-born cyclist in recognition of his accomplishments, which include involvement in "numerous non-profit activities, including support for childhood illnesses.

Thompson's bill states that Lemond "demonstrates a commitment to excellence, generosity, community, and tenacity and serves as a role model for all."

The Congressional Gold Medal honors "a person whose accomplishments have had such an impact on American history and culture that they are likely to be recognized as a major achievement in the recipient's field for a long time."

The medal is a rare honor because it can only be awarded by a vote of Congress and must be approved by two-thirds of the members of both the House and Senate before the vote can be considered. Other athletes who have been awarded the Congressional Gold Medal include golfers Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus; baseball players Jackie Robinson, Roberto Clemente, and Larry Doby; football player Steve Gleason; track and field Olympian Jesse Owens, boxer Joe Louis, and only the 1980 Olympic team, which forfeited its right to compete in the Moscow Games due to a boycott following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.

The bill was passed on November 16 and presented to President Trump for his signature on November 24. Unless vetoed, the medal will be awarded to LeMond even without his signature on December 5.