US federal prosecutors on Friday dropped an investigation centered on whether seven-time Tour De France champion Lance Armstrong and his teammates cheated the sponsor of their bike racing team with a secret doping program.
The decision means that Armstrong, a cancer survivor and one of his sport’s greatest champions who has always vehemently denied using performance-enhancing drugs, will not face charges following the two-year-long probe.
“I am gratified to learn that the US Attorney’s Office is closing its investigation. It is the right decision and I commend them for reaching it,” Armstrong, 40, said in a statement released through his spokesman.
Prosecutors have said little publicly about the case and US Attorney Andre Birotte Jr, in a brief written statement, announced simply that his office was “closing an investigation into members and associates of a bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.”
However, a source familiar with the investigation said prosecutors had been looking into whether the team had defrauded its main sponsor, the US Postal Service, by doping.
US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) chief Travis Tygart said on Friday that the end of the federal probe into Armstrong and his team did not mean that the USADA would drop its own investigation.
“Unlike the US Attorney, USADA’s job is to protect clean sport rather than enforce specific criminal laws,” Tygart said in a written statement. “Our investigation into doping in the sport of cycling is continuing and we look forward to obtaining the information developed during the federal investigation.”
Doping, or using performance enhancing substances in professional sports, is not in itself a federal crime.
The Texas-born Armstrong, who won the Tour de France a record seven consecutive times, retired from professional cycling last year.
He remains the face of his Austin-based anti-cancer charity, Livestrong, known for its popular yellow plastic bracelets.
Despite having never failed a doping test, Armstrong has never been able to shake allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs to help fuel his brilliant career.
Former teammate and deposed Tour de France winner Floyd Landis said in 2010 that Armstrong not only used performance-enhancing drugs, but he taught others how to avoid being caught.
Earlier accusations that the American had used EPO during the 1999 Tour de France led to an investigation supported by the International Cycling Union that cleared Armstrong of doping.
“Today when I heard the decision my first thought was, Lance won again,” said Peter Flax, editor in chief of Bicycling magazine, who said that his readers were split over whether Armstrong had used performance-enhancing drugs.
“It kind of made me crack a little bit of a smile because Lance has always found a way to win and today was no different,” Flax said.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
RSS