If Lance Armstrong went to jail and Livestrong went away, that would be a huge setback in our war against cancer, right? Not exactly, because the ­famous nonprofit donates almost ­nothing to scientific research. Bill Gifford looks at where the money goes and finds a mix of fine ideas, millions of dollars aimed at “awareness,” and a few very blurry lines.

For more than a decade, Lance Armstrong has denied ever taking performance-enhancing drugs. But now, the federal agent who exposed Barry Bonds has the cycling legend in his sights — and against the wall.

The Evel Knievel of BASE jumping, Jeb Corliss, is at his best dropping from the sky and buzzing cliffs inches from death. It’s when he’s on the ground that things get dark.

Can Interior Secretary Ken Salazar save the last best place in his native Colorado? Bill Gifford reports on the fierce conservation fight and reality check of Salazar and President Obama’s plan to move America beyond “drill, baby, drill” as the answer to our energy needs.

Tennis is one of the few sports that hasn't been tainted by doping scandals. Can any sport possibly be that clean?

Shane McConkey spent his life redefining what is possible on skis, and at age 39, he still went bigger than everyone else. But when he died in an over-the-top stunt on March 26, even devoted fans wondered: Have extreme athletes pushed too far?

In the three years since he flamed out at the Olympics, the wildest, most exciting skier of his generation fired the U.S. Ski Team, overcame personal tragedy, took control of his own coaching, training, and drinking — and reemerged as the best in the business.

These days, the first American Tour de France champion seems to have more vendettas than victories. As trek bicycles, his longtime sponsor, sues LeMond to shut up about Lance Armstrong and doping, Bill Gifford tries to determine whether the former superstar is a crusader out to save cycling or one massively bitter maniac.

Meet the Champions Club, an elite group of bike-crazy execs who are richer than Croesus, can hammer with Lance, and are donating millions to ensure a gold-plated future for U.S. cycling.