Lance Armstrong stripped of titles, faces lifetime ban

In a statement issued yesterday, world cycling icon Lance Armstrong stated he was discontinuing his fight against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's (USADA) allegations that he had an unfair advantage while capturing multiple Tour de France titles.

"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, 'Enough is enough.' For me, that time is now," Armstrong's statement read. "I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999. Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt. The toll this has taken on my family, and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today – finished with this nonsense."

Swift to act, the USADA has in fact stripped Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles, and the USADA’s Chief Executive Travis Tygart has threatened to impose a lifetime ban on the cyclists who became an inspiration to thousands after overcoming testicular cancer.

He also risks losing his 2000 Olympic bronze medal and other cash awards earned from his multiple achievements.

Although no charges were filed following a two-year federal criminal investigation, the USADA claims it is in possession of evidence dating as far back as 1996 which proves Armstrong had used banned substances while competing.

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