Enough is enough, won't fight dope slur: Armstrong

August 24, 2012 08:40

Cyclist Lance Armstrong, who won the Tour de France an unprecedented seven straight times, has given up the fight against charges levied against him by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, which contended that he doped and was one of the ringleaders of systematic doping on his tour-winning teams.

In a statement, 40-year-old Armstrong said: "There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, 'Enough is enough'. 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 reiterated that he had never tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs and that his decision was not an admission of guilt, but a choice to devote his time to his family and his Livestrong foundation for cancer survivors.

Armstrong overcame advanced cancer just a few years before his string of Tour de France victories.

I know who won those seven Tours. The toughest event in the world where the strongest man wins. Nobody can ever change that. Especially (USADA CEO) Travis Tygart. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title; serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities."

Armstrong's decision means that he will almost certainly be stripped of his seven Tour titles, the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Olympics and all other titles, awards and money he won from August 1998 on.

It also means he will be barred for life from competing, coaching or having any official role with any Olympic sport or other sport that follows the World Anti-Doping Code.

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