Truth rating: 10
12:33 pm, August 24th, 2012
(GettyImages.com)
Lance Armstrong has officially been stripped stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and been banned for life from competitive cycling.
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) made its announcement on Friday, hours after Armstrong revealed that he will no longer fight the performance-enhancing drug charges that have dogged him for years.
The ruling was expected after Armstrong’s decision to no longer challenge the agency, but the punishment of cycling’s most famous star still sent shockwaves.
“Nobody wins when an athlete decides to cheat with dangerous performance enhancing drugs, but clean athletes at every level expect those of us here on their behalf, to pursue the truth to ensure the win-at-all-cost culture does not permanently overtake fair, honest competition” USADA CEO Travis Tygart said in the release.
He continued, “Any time we have overwhelming proof of doping, our mandate is to initiate the case through the process and see it to conclusion as was done in this case.”
It’s been Armstrong’s contention that there has NOT been proof of doping, with the famed cyclist having routinely professed his innocence and passed drug tests.
But the USADA, citing witness statements, alleges that Armstrong has used HGH, blood transfusions, EPO and other substances to gain an unfair advantage.
Early Friday, Nike announced its continued support for Armstrong.
“Lance has stated his innocence and has been unwavering on this position,” the company said in a statement, adding that it planned to continue its support of the Lance Armstrong Foundation cancer charity.
What do you think of the Armstrong situation?
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