Cancer Is Not Enough to Stop Olympic Swimmer Eric Shanteau

This past weekend, Eric Shanteau returned to the pool after kicking testicular cancer to the curb, and he did the same to most of the other swimmers against whom he was competing.

Sports Stars Who Fought Cancer

Swimmer Eric Shanteau found out he had testicular cancer a week before qualifying for the Olympic team, but he postponed treatment so he could compete in Beijing. He's currently cancer-free and has returned to competitive swimming. Click through to see other athletes who have fought cancer.

Jed Jacobsohn, Getty Images

Australian soccer star Craig Moore undergoes surgery to battle testicular cancer, but he is expected to make a successful recovery.

Robert Cianflone, Getty Images

Golf legend Seve Ballesteros is in intensive care after doctors removed a cancerous tumor from his brain.

Stuart Franklin, Getty Images

Lance Armstrong survived his bout with testicular cancer and went on to win seven consecutive Tour de France titles. Armstrong is now planning to make a comeback and chase his eighth crown.

Peter Dejong, AP

Former NBA player Wayman Tisdale, seen here in 2006, had part of his leg amputated because of bone cancer. "This may sound drastic, but I have put it in God's hands and now have peace, knowing that this is the best way to put this disease in check," he said.

Brad Barket, Getty Images

Jim Calhoun underwent 33 radiation sessions over the summer to battle skin cancer, and now the UConn hoops coach expects to be recovered in time for the new season.

Ned Dishman, Getty Images

Maarten van der Weijden, who was given only a slim chance of survival after being diagnosed with leukemia in 2001, swims past the favorites to win a gold medal in one of the most grueling events of the Olympics.

Robert F Bukaty, AP

Bruce Snyder, who has coached football at Arizona State, California and Utah State, admitted in July that he has cancer through a statement released by Arizona State's sports information office.

Tom Hauck, Getty Images

Bobby Murcer, who was one of the most popular figures in Yankees history, died of brain cancer on July 12. He had been diagnosed with the disease on Christmas Eve of 2006.

Julie Jacobson, AP

Less than two months after his surgery for thyroid cancer, Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis made a triumphant return to the mound on May 23, giving up only one run in seven innings.

John Bazemore, AP

You might remember the story of Shanteau. He went to the Olympics in Beijing to compete, having postponed cancer treatment in order to do so. He'll admit to being a bit distracted during the games, but who can really blame him? Cancer isn't exactly akin to a mild headache or a nagging cough, you know. Since returning home, Shanteau underwent surgery -- which successfully removed the cancer -- and rehabbed for many weeks before finally returning to competition this past weekend.

In Atlanta, Shanteau finished second in the 200-yard individual medley -- to American record-holder Ryan Lochte, whom you should remember from the Olympics -- in the U.S. Short Course Nationals. He set a personal best in this event, and also set a personal best in the 100-yard breaststroke, noting to CNN that "For me to go the times I did is pretty incredible." Of the whole experience, though, the times in each individual race took a backseat to the journey itself.

"This experience gave me a very different and new perspective on life -- it's a good one," Shanteau said. "As traumatic as cancer can be, there's a lot of good that you can take out of it. Appreciate the small things."

While this isn't the first story of perseverance we've heard like this -- and it won't be the last -- it never gets old to hear about people battling adversity and coming out shining of excellence. It's a testament to the human spirit that someone can emerge just months after facing a life-threatening illness as a winner.

Even though Eric Shanteau came out of that pool in second place, he was definitely a champion when you consider what he overcame. This adds to the wonderful collection of in which someone battled and defeated cancer like it was some sort of a game. We can always use a little more inspiration.