This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19364384#sa-ns_mchannel=rss&ns_source=PublicRSS20-sa

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Lance Armstrong ends fight against doping charges Lance Armstrong ends fight against doping charges
(40 minutes later)
US cyclist Lance Armstrong has announced he will no longer fight drug charges from the US anti-doping agency, ahead of a Friday deadline.US cyclist Lance Armstrong has announced he will no longer fight drug charges from the US anti-doping agency, ahead of a Friday deadline.
In a statement sent to Associated Press, Armstrong maintains he is innocent but weary of the accusations. In a statement sent to Associated Press, Armstrong, 40, says he is innocent but weary of the accusations.
His decision could lead to sanctions from the doping agency, including a lifetime ban from cycling and the loss of his tour titles. The US anti-doping agency (USADA) now says it will ban Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.
The seven-time Tour de France winner retired from cycling in 2011. Armstrong, aged 40, retired from professional sport in 2011.
The US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) alleges he used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster EPO, steroid and blood transfusions. USADA alleges he used banned substances as far back as 1996, including the blood-booster EPO, steroid and blood transfusions.
Mr Armstrong sued in federal court to block the charges but lost. Armstrong sued in federal court to block the charges but lost.
'Nonsense''Nonsense'
"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 the statement."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 the statement.
"I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999."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 [USADA's chief executive] unconstitutional witch hunt."Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's [USADA's chief executive] 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.""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."
Armstrong had been given until 06:00 GMT on Friday to decide whether to continue fighting the USADA charges.
The agency has said that 10 Armstrong's former teammates are prepared to testify against him.
The cyclist has accused USADA of offering "corrupt inducements" to other riders.
Mr Tygart said shortly after Armstrong's statement that his agency would ban Armstrong from cycling for life and strip him of his titles, according to AP.
The chief also executive described the case a "heartbreaking" example of a win-at-all costs approach to sports.
However, Armstrong has previously disputed that the USADA has the power to take away his titles.
Armstrong, who survived testicular cancer prior to his record-breaking Tour wins, retired after the 2005 Tour de France but made a comeback in 2009.
He retired for a second time in February 2011.
He now says he will be focusing on the work with his cancer charity.