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Lance Armstrong ends fight against doping charges | Lance Armstrong ends fight against doping charges |
(about 2 hours later) | |
US cycling star Lance Armstrong has announced he will no longer fight drug charges from the US anti-doping agency, ahead of a Friday deadline. | US cycling star 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, the 40-year-old maintains he is innocent, but says he is weary of the "nonsense" accusations. | In a statement, the 40-year-old maintains he is innocent, but says he is weary of the "nonsense" accusations. |
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 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. |
Armstrong retired from professional sport in 2011. | Armstrong retired from professional sport in 2011. |
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. |
Armstrong sued in federal court to block the charges but lost. | Armstrong sued in federal court to block the charges but lost. |
'Heartbreaking' case | 'Heartbreaking' case |
"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. | 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 of Armstrong's former teammates are prepared to testify against him. | The agency has said that 10 of Armstrong's former teammates are prepared to testify against him. |
The cyclist has accused USADA of offering "corrupt inducements" to other riders. | The cyclist has accused USADA of offering "corrupt inducements" to other riders. |
USADA also accuses Armstrong of being a "ring-leader" of systematic doping on his Tour de France winning teams. | USADA also accuses Armstrong of being a "ring-leader" of systematic doping on his Tour de France winning teams. |
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. | 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 executive described the case as a "heartbreaking" example of a win-at-all costs approach to sports. | The chief executive described the case as a "heartbreaking" example of a win-at-all costs approach to sports. |
However, Armstrong disputed that the USADA has the power to take away his titles. | However, Armstrong disputed that the USADA has the power to take away his titles. |
"USADA lacks jurisdiction even to bring these charges," his statement said. | "USADA lacks jurisdiction even to bring these charges," his statement said. |
The cycling governing body the International Cycling Union (UCI) - which had backed Armstrong's challenge to challenge USADA's authority - has so far made no public comments on the latest developments. | The cycling governing body the International Cycling Union (UCI) - which had backed Armstrong's challenge to challenge USADA's authority - has so far made no public comments on the latest developments. |
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. | 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 retired for a second time in February 2011. |
He now says he will be focusing on the work with his cancer charity. | He now says he will be focusing on the work with his cancer charity. |