Lance Armstrong barred from Ironman France amid new USADA doping charges

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has filed charges against Lance Armstrong for using banned performance-enhancing drugs. / AP Photo/Alex Wong

(CBS/AP) PARIS - Lance Armstrong has been barred from competing in the Ironman France triathlon after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency filed new charges that he doped as a Tour de France cyclist.

Ironman France spokeswoman Delphine Vivet said Armstrong was told Wednesday that he is out of the June 24 race in Nice, southern France, because of the new USADA proceedings against him. She said he is barred from the race under World Triathlon Corporation rules.

The seven-time Tour champion was in southern France preparing for the triathlon. On Tuesday, he tweeted that he had been on the Col D'Eze, a climb near Nice, earlier that day.

Armstrong thought he had finally put persistent doping allegations to rest months ago when federal investigators in February closed a two-year investigation without bringing criminal charges. But the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency continued its own probe and has filed new doping charges that could strip the seven-time Tour de France winner of his victories in cycling's premier race.

Armstrong dismissed the latest allegations as "baseless" and "motivated by spite."

"I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one," Armstrong said in a statement. "Any fair consideration of these allegations has and will continue to vindicate me."

Armstrong formally charged for doping, Tour de France titles at risk

The move by USADA immediately bans him from competing in triathlons, which he turned to after he retired from cycling last year.

Armstrong has been dogged by doping allegations since his first Tour victory in 1999, but had hoped his fight to be viewed as a clean champion was finally won after federal prosecutors closed their probe. Armstrong has said the investigation took a heavy emotional toll and he was relieved when it ended. (Watch "60 Minutes" report from May 2011 on Armstrong doping allegations.)

But USADA officials insisted they would continue to pursue their investigation into Armstrong and his former teams and doctors, and notified him of the charges in a 15-page letter on Tuesday. Unlike federal prosecutors, USADA isn't burdened by proving a crime occurred, just that there was use of performance-enhancing drugs.

In its letter, USADA said its investigation included evidence dating to 1996. It also included the new charge that Armstrong blood samples taken in 2009 and 2010 are "fully consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and/or blood transfusions." Armstrong came out of his first retirement to race in the Tour de France those two years.

Even though he last won the Tour seven years ago, the 40-year-old Armstrong remains a popular — if polarizing — figure, partly because of his charity work for cancer patients.

Since he first retired after the 2005 Tour de France, Armstrong has often said he was tired of fighting doping claims only to vigorously battle to clear his name. He spent millions assembling a legal team during the criminal investigation.

In the months since the criminal probe ended, Armstrong has said he would not worry about a USADA investigation and that he's done "wasting" time answering doping questions.

Anti-doping officials, however, kept pressing their case and finally laid out the charges in the letter.

The USADA letter accuses Armstrong of using and promoting the use of the blood booster EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone, human growth hormone and anti-inflammatory steroids. The letter doesn't cite specific examples, but says the charges are based on evidence gathered in an investigation of Armstrong's teams, including interviews with witnesses who aren't named.

USADA's letter said the agency was also bringing doping charges against Johan Bruyneel, manager of Armstrong's winning teams; team doctors Pedro Celaya and Luis Garcia del Moral; team trainer Pepe Marti, and consulting doctor Michele Ferrari.

Cycling's governing body, the International Cycling Union, which collected the 2009 and 2010 samples cited in the USADA letter, said it was not involved in the anti-doping group's investigation.

According to USADA's letter, more than 10 cyclists as well as team employees will testify they either saw Armstrong dope or heard him tell them he used EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone and cortisone from 1996 to 2005. Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999-2005.

During their investigation, federal prosecutors subpoenaed Armstrong supporters and ex-teammates to testify in Los Angeles. One of the most serious accusations came during a "60 Minutes" interview when former teammate Tyler Hamilton said he saw Armstrong use EPO during the 1999 Tour de France and in preparation for the 2000 and 2001 tours.

The "60 Minutes" story also reported for the first time that long-time Armstrong lieutenant George Hincapie told U.S. government investigators that he and Armstrong had "supplied each other with the blood booster EPO and discussed having used testosterone, another banned substance, during their preparation for races."

"60 Minutes" reporting in May 2011 revealed that no fewer than three Armstrong teammates had told government investigators that they had personally witnessed Armstrong doping. Sources with knowledge of the allegations say that the USADA case will also rely on suspicious Armstrong test results from races in 2009 and 2010.

Early in the criminal investigation, Armstrong attorney's accused USADA of offering cyclists a "sweetheart deal" if they would testify or provide evidence against Armstrong.

In a letter to USADA last week, Armstrong attorney Robert Luskin noted that USADA Chief Executive Officer Travis Tygart participated in witness interviews with federal investigator Jeff Novitzky during the criminal probe.

"It is a vendetta, which has nothing to do with learning the truth and everything to do with settling a score and garnering publicity at Lance's expense," Luskin wrote.

In a statement, Tygart said, "USADA only initiates matters supported by the evidence. We do not choose whether or not we do our job based on outside pressures, intimidation or for any reason other than the evidence."

Armstrong has until June 22 to file a written response to the charges. The case could ultimately go before an arbitration panel to consider evidence. The USADA letter said in that case a hearing should be expected by November.

[cmollling]

Lance Armstrong- a hero, I guess in today's world of views and values he is! However, let's look at the whole of his public life - married to a faithful wife who supported him consistently through his time with testicular cancer. Then, Lance late decides that a younger and more beautiful model would be suit his now (then) more powerful public figure he represents. In turn dumping his wife. Whether he doped or didn't dope and if he did, there is plenty of ways he could have covered it up, and enough testimony from his team mates or others in the cycling field that confessed doping was more common than not. So, let's be careful to look at the whole of a man we put on a pedi-stool that is so narrowly defined by victories in a sport. Truly, has mankind lost total value for character, integrity and commitment, in exchange for a sport's champion and an organization he's started (which anyone with fame could have)? Let's really think about the person as a whole and who he has left in the dust (his former wife) to sponge up all the glam and glory we can and have given him. Sick....Livestrong----no thank you---not the Lance Armstrong way at least!

[connme]

I was really excited to see Lance do triathlons at his age and have great results so far. Now another attempt to discredit his performances. Being banned from doing the sport because of allegations in another sport in the past is ridiculous. What about drug tests done this year. Did he test positive this year?

In regards to comments about Lance being biologically gifted. He is because if the average Joe did the things they claimed Lance did, they would not win the Tour de France, or any other top pro race. It takes dedication, training and gifted talent. There are many other racers who are better than the average racer. Only they do not publicize and promote an organization like Lance. George Hincapie beat adults in races when he was 14 and has one of the longest careers in the sport (Is he doping?). Miguel Indurain won 5 consecutive tours (did he dope?), Bernard Hinault won the Tour 5 times as well as the other grand tours (did he dope?), Eddy Merckx won 5 tours and about every other race (did he dope?). Sean Kelly won 193 pro races (did he dope?)

If they take away Lance's victories, then they have to take the victories away from everyone before him. If race organizations can not prove that an athlete used illegal performance enhancing substances during an event or within a year afterward, then the results stand. Unless you put everyone on trial, then you are simply go for the person who gets the most publicity.

[BigSummitAdventures]

I don't know what else to say that hasn't already been said in the 30+ comments already. Lance is first and foremost a shining example of inspiration to all that battle the horrific disease of Cancer. He is tireless in helping to find a cure and enrich the lives of those who battle this disease. He is an American athletic hero! Who has brought the international sport of Cycling into our homes and lives. He has again inspired a generation with his leadership, dedication, attention to detail, determination and sheer guts/grit. LEAVE THE MAN ALONE. I'm not saying he or anyone else is above the law but he has proven his case. He is the most tested athlete in human history, give it a rest already. Find other more meaningful quests like helping to get the world economy back on track or help to cure one of the most horrific diseases on the planet. My .02

[ryanleehowell]

Lance just race Ironman France as a age grouper and win the race. As a nonqualified professional we will all know the fast finisher is Lance Armstrong in Ironman France! DO the RACE and WIN! you do not nned the prize money or Pro-status

[rewval]

This is nothing but a witch hunt. The US Attorney failed in it's 2 year investigation, and now they're trying it from another angle. In the meantime it's the taxpayers who are paying for it. Show them the public opinion is not on their side - lancesupport.org.

[IMDerek]

Lance has been training for Ironman for the past year, which is a huge commitment. The USADA's timing is extremely suspicious, as it brings these charges only 11 days before his first full length Ironman race. From Lance's statement, " Although USADA alleges a wide-ranging conspiracy extended over more than 16 years, I am the only athlete it has chosen to charge." This is a vendetta!

[hope4agape]

I have an idea, why doesn't the press use its right to free speech to point out that this story violates the constitution of the US. Specifically 5th, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.
From reading the story its complete and utter nonsense. The USDA suddenly has the power to file charges against a US citizen ? Where do these powers come from ?What are thier limits ? Who granted these new powers.
The story says the Federal Investagators, IE the ones that would have followed the constitution and had the authority to bring the charges found nothing.
So now a New Agency says here is a letter and deprives Lance of a race in france and income.
All CBS says is way to go government woo hoo.
Why do I get the feeling you would write the same story if the USADA had differnt initials and were from germany in the 1940's.

[lesserof2evil]

So we'll have an ironman champion that might not be the best in the world? Yup, that will make the trophy so so so sweeeeet.

[baileycccc]

You can walk away from it and retire Lance or you can fight it and then you will have to fight it again a few years down the road. When will it end???????????

[wassdoc]

I am a physician. I've followed Lance's career from the very beginning. Physiologically, he is truly a freak. He always has been. The point made about his teenage results should be taken seriously. He has followed all the rules and never tested positively. Can we ever be 100% sure of anything in life? Of course not! He is a role model. Enough is enough! It is time to investigate the USADA! What is their motivation? If they could somehow manage to trump up charges that stick without any data, what's the point? Leave Lance alone.

[obabyo]

@Master
Are you a cyclist? Do you have ANY idea what it is like to compete in the TDF, much less win it? Seven times? After testicular cancer has almost killed you?

Yeah, you are a Master, all right but there is no reward for baiting.