USADA to ban Armstrong for life, strip Tour titles

Lance Armstrong attends the 2011 Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Aug. 6, 2011, in Bourne, Mass. / Getty Images

Updated 6:15 a./m. ET

(CBS/AP) The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Thursday night it will strip Lance Armstrong of his unprecedented seven Tour de France titles after he declared he was finished fighting the drug charges that threaten his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.

Travis Tygart, USADA's chief executive, said Armstrong would also be hit with a lifetime ban on Friday.

Armstrong dropped any further challenges Thursday night to USADA's allegations that he took performance-enhancing drugs to win cycling's premier event from 1999-2005.

Armstrong says USADA doesn't have the authority to vacate his Tour titles. However, Tygart told The Associated Press that USADA can do it.

Tygart called the Armstrong case a "heartbreaking" example of a win-at-all costs approach to sports.

On Friday, World Anti-Doping Agency head John Fahey told Reuters Armstrong should be stripped of his seven Tour titles, because his decision not to fight doping charges meant there was "substance" to the allegations.

Still to be heard from was the sport's governing body, the International Cycling Union, which had backed Armstrong's legal challenge to USADA's authority.

Armstrong, who retired last year, declined to enter arbitration -- his last option -- because he said he was weary of fighting accusations that have dogged him for years. He has consistently pointed to the hundreds of drug tests that he has passed as proof of his innocence.

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Lance Armstrong

"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, "Enough is enough." For me, that time is now," Armstrong said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. He called the USADA investigation an "unconstitutional witch hunt."

"I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999," he said. "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."

Video: Lance Armstrong goes after Anti-Doping Agency
"60 Minutes" Overtime: Ex-Teammate: I saw Lance Armstrong use EPO

USADA reacted quickly and treated Armstrong's decision as an admission of guilt, hanging the label of drug cheat on an athlete who was a hero to thousands for overcoming life-threatening testicular cancer and for his foundation's support for cancer research.

Tygart said the agency can strip the Tour titles, though Armstrong disputed that as he insisted his decision is not an admission of drug use, but a refusal to enter an arbitration process he believes is unfair.

"USADA cannot assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles," he said. "I know who won those seven Tours, my teammates know who won those seven Tours, and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours."

USADA maintains that Armstrong has used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster EPO and steroids as well as blood transfusions -- all to boost his performance.

Watch a "60 Minutes" interview from May with cyclist Tyler Hamilton, who said Lance Armstrong was using a banned drug called "EPO":

The 40-year-old Armstrong walked away from the sport in 2011 without being charged following a two-year federal criminal investigation into many of the same accusations he faces from USADA. The federal probe was closed in February, but USADA announced in June it had evidence Armstrong used banned substances and methods -- and encouraged their use by teammates. The agency also said it had blood tests from 2009 and 2010 that were "fully consistent" with blood doping.

Included in USADA's evidence were emails written by Armstrong's former U.S. Postal Service teammate Floyd Landis, who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after a positive drug test. Landis' emails to a USA Cycling official detailed allegations of a complex doping program on the team.

Floyd Landis reaches deal on fraud counts

USADA also said it had 10 former Armstrong teammates ready to testify against him. Other than suggesting they include Landis and Tyler Hamilton, both of whom have admitted to doping offenses, the agency has refused to say who they are or specifically what they would say.

Watch "CBS Evening News" anchor Scott Pelley talk about his investigation for "60 Minutes" into teammates' charges that Lance Armstrong used banned drugs:

"There is zero physical evidence to support (the) outlandish and heinous claims. The only physical evidence here is the hundreds of (doping) controls I have passed with flying colors," Armstrong said.

Armstrong sued USADA in Austin, where he lives, in an attempt to block the case and was supported by the UCI, the sport's governing body. A judge threw out the case on Monday, siding with USADA despite questioning the agency's pursuit of Armstrong in his retirement.

"USADA's conduct raises serious questions about whether its real interest in charging Armstrong is to combat doping, or if it is acting according to less noble motives," such as politics or publicity, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks wrote.

Now the ultra-competitive Armstrong has done something virtually unthinkable for him: He has quit before a fight is over.

"Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities," Armstrong said.

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[CompetAdvant]

You know what else is cheap? How much less modern race bikes weigh compared to that of a 1910 race bike... or new vitamin regiments that didn't exist 60 years ago... but wait! You're telling me that as society, and physiological research advances, so does every other aspect of modern society?! Outrageous! I cant believe we're all still hung up on this. Most people seem to be sinking into a cloud of "modernization", yet for some reason, we expect our athletes (who destroy their bodies for our entertainment, and cash) to stay safely locked away in the 1950's. I'm not condoning using steroids, or blood doping. But I'm not dumping on it either. Blood doping, which can be achieved many ways (EPO, or other RBC's, can be used) or you can sleep in an altitude tent. Steroids have taken the worst beating over the years, yet if you have cancer, or Muscular disorders, or asthma, chances are you've taken steroids (in some form or another) yourself. So what doctors, and high school weight room posters want young people to believe is that strong, healthy, fully developed people will be hurt terribly by the same substances that make people with Muscular dystrophy able to function... bottom line: hate Barry Bonds? Make everyone play with old school bats and gloves, and in a 100% wool uniform. Hate Lance Armstrong? Make everyone race on bikes from 1903. Til then, or until you're a pro athlete, stop the talk, and enjoy the mostly free entertainment

[micaheladaniels]

"On Friday, World Anti-Doping Agency head John Fahey told Reuters Armstrong should be stripped of his seven Tour titles, because his decision not to fight doping charges meant there was "substance" to the allegations."

NO. maybe it means he has a LIFE and wants to live it? how long is he supposed to deny it he should say "tests were always clean. end of story. i'm not going to justify further allegations with comment. if you have proof i did, then put your cards on the table. otherwise it is time to move on. if they have nothing better to do, maybe they'd rather i just take them to court for their continuous slanderous allegations?"

[Gina_Karrell]

So someone is guilty because they are accused by others? And I thought these were French awards, not US. I will still consider him a great athlete.

[nolapearl]

I would think that the federal government should be spending taxpayer money for more important things - why don't they have this kind of dogged investigation into medicare fraud and social security fraud or even insurance fraud.
Seems to me the review/arbitration process is not impartial.

[gca2]

Yes, why are these organizations able to get federal grant dollars? We have an empty wallet and this is not where the money needs to go...

[FLHRC-12]

by chevyhotrod August 24, 2012 10:47 AM EDT
Do you realize that Mr. Armstrong had testicular cancer and had to have his testicles (at least one) removed years before he even met Sheryl Crow?

.....
Probably because of doping.
I'm sure he had a fake small one implanted with saline solution to match the other tiny one.

[chevyhotrod]

So he continued doping even after the cancer and he is still cancer free?

Your logic is not very sound.

Do you think all people that get testicular cancer are doppers?

[chevyhotrod]

by USA__is__back August 24, 2012 8:09 AM EDT
by Transatlantique August 24, 2012 4:59 AM EDT
Testicular cancer is a direct symptom of steroids taking. Why hasn't anyone pointed this out? I can see Armstrong's exhaustion and refusal to go any further with this if it isn't true, but what if it is true and he is just in denial? What if he has been telling himself that its not true for so long that he really believes it?


What if, what if, what if.....

IF he has been taking steroids since his bout with cancer, why hasn't it come back then?

You have a allot of what if's, what if he is innocent, just as the 500 tests he has taken over his life time indicates he is?

You are both a discrace for to every cancer victom or survivor that has fought these terrible diseases.

"Armstrong, whose non-profit Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) is now a leader in the fight against cancer, knows all too well the impact that cancer of any kind can have on an individual. In 1996, his own aggressive form of testicular cancer metastasized into his lymph nodes, lungs and brain. Armstrong underwent two surgeries, one to remove his cancerous testicle and another to remove two cancerous lesions on his brain. Over a three-month period, he received four rounds of chemotherapy. For these reasons, he understands that defeating cancer cannot be done alone."

As he told doctors, researchers and clinical trial participants on one of his visits to the NIH's National Cancer Institute (NCI), without their cancer research and that of others, "...quite frankly, I wouldn't be here today. And I certainly wouldn't have clipped into a pedal and started a bike race ever again."

Success stories such as Armstrong's are part of an evolving strategy in the fight against cancer, notes Andrew von Eschenbach, M.D., NCI director and acting commissioner, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

That is one of the many reasons that Dr. von Eschenbach finds Lance Armstrong's story so compelling: "Lance is a cancer survivor who represents so many, many others across this country and the world who have faced the challenge of cancer," he says. "He is an example to us of what is possible, what is within our grasp;a world in which no one suffers and no one dies as a result of cancer."

Sometimes the mind will do amazing things when faced with death.

LIVE STRONG...LIVE LONG...AND BEYOND

http://www.livestrong.org/

God Bless you Lance, keep the faith!!!!!

[yarnplay]

Time to disband the USADA and stop wasting money on pseudo agencies when it could be spent on real causes. At the end of the day every country with biking teams uses some form of medical support. That Armstrong passed every test and is now subjected to this because this agency is opening a closed case is shameful.

As to those that accuse Armstrong to save themselves, more shame on you. You knew the sport you were entering when you started and you knew the risks. Now it's about having this agency and it's overpaid bureaucrats take down someone who won, using the bitter losers.

Where are the rigts of the people in this? Why are we spending our money on garbage? Why isn't this agency stripped of it's authority before any more arbitary action can be taken?

Make these clowns get real jobs and stop beating up on someone who passed 500 tests.

[stephand]

What's the point?

[Titos2cents]

Lets see if I got this right.
- 500+ tests. No failures. EVER.
- Repeated investigations, including a federal investigation, none leading to charges due to lack of evidence.
- USADA (U.S. Anti-Doping Agency), a government funded non-profit agency, levies charges that can only be addressed in arbitration decided by a review board. Since they are not a court, the burden of proof does not have to be beyond "reasonable doubt". The defendant is not able to present witnesses or any physical evidence to refute the claims. The defendant is not permitted to know who their accusers are. The accused may provide a written statement only, to be considered by the review board. The review board is hand picked by the accuser, CEO Travis Tygart.

Wow - sounds fair right? No way to abuse a system with the judge, jury and prosecutor all on the same side and no way to defend yourself but a written statement.

There's a term for this. It's called a Kangaroo Court.

There was no way for Armstrong to beat the charges in this venue.

Congratulations Travis Tygart, you will finally get your wish. You'll be able to strip, at least officially, the best rider in the sport of his titles using nothing more for evidence than the word of known cheaters looking to strike deals. The one Floyd Landis sought will coincidentally be granted him this very morning, so good job with the back room deal on that one Mr. Tygart!

Travis Tygart should be disbarred for failing to meet his ethical obligations as a lawyer. The USADA should have it's federal funding removed, and it's power to impact athletes stripped and appointed to a unbiased and fair investigative organization.

[chevyhotrod]

Amen....great post

[lovethesport]

Amen! Travis Tygart has won his personal vendetta and can call off his witch hunt, but Lance is still an incredible athlete and although stripped of his titles officially, will always be a 7 time Tour De France winner and the best in cycling to date. The fact that we have a U.S. District Judge stating "the deficiency of USADA's charging document is of serious constitutional concern." say's it all. Tygart needs to be disbarred!

[akc87031]

the saddest and most disgusting part of lance armstrong is what he took away from legitimate winner of these races....I'm sure it's ok being named the winner years later but they could not laugh and rejoice in the WINNERS CIRCLE....LANCE ARMSTRONG IS IN THE LOSERS CIRCLE!!

[yarnplay]

Problem is that the second place cycler was probably using medical support. There's still no proof that Armstrong did and the tests at the time were the benchmark, not this new threshhold the USADA is using. The losers here are the Americans and anyone who succeeds to the point of making someone else jealous enough to target them for a deal or a buck or two.

[gca2]

I would not like to have you on my jury if you are willing to base your judgement on words of accusers and not on the hard evidence of passing (or failing) a drug test. I agree with an earlier comment that asked "what's the point"... but I would like to add my question -- who's paying for all of this???