The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has filed formal doping charges against Lance Armstrong that could result in the seven-time Tour de France winner being stripped of his titles. Armstrong has been banned from participating in triathlons as a result of the charges.
Lance Armstrong Faces New Doping Charges, Could Lose Tour de France Titles
The USADA filed formal doping charges against Lance Armstrong in a 15-page letter sent to the cyclist Tuesday.
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Armstrong was sent a 15-page letter notifying him of the charges Tuesday. In the letter, the USADA brought up new allegations, including blood samples from 2009 and 2010 that were “fully consistent with blood manipulation including EPO use and/or blood transfusions.”
Armstrong strongly denied the allegations in a statement released through his website.
“I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one,” Armstrong said. “That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence.”
Armstrong has faced doping accusations throughout his career. In February, he was the subject of a two-year investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s office that ultimately did not bring about any charges. He has also been accused by former teammates in the past.
Armstrong was set to compete in Ironman France on June 24 before the USADA’s charges were brought about. He is attempting to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, this year.
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