Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong used performance enhancing drugs to cheat his way to the top, according to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. The allegations by the USDA are no longer being challenged by Armstrong.
Armstrong called the case an “unconstitutional witch hunt” in declining to fight it in arbitration. Armstrong still however maintained his innocence. The International Cycling Union seems to agree, the sport’s governing body wants the USADA to explain why Armstrong should lose his seven Tour de France titles before commenting on the case.
Armstrong said “If I thought for one moment that by participating in USADA’s process, I could confront these allegations in a fair setting and — once and for all — put these charges to rest, I would jump at the chance,” Armstrong said in a lengthy prepared statement Thursday evening. “But I refuse to participate in a process that is so one-sided and unfair.”
So now Armstrong who is retired has never failed a drug test will now face a lifetime ban from all elite-level sports and the stripping of his tour titles. Armstrong sued USADA in federal court but when it came to facing a reported 10 former teammates under oath, he walked away.
Armstrong said. “The only physical evidence here is the hundreds of controls I have passed with flying colors. I made myself available around the clock and around the world. In-competition. Out of competition. Blood. Urine. Whatever they asked for I provided. What is the point of all this testing if, in the end, USADA will not stand by it?”