Cycling chiefs cast out Lance Armstrong as ban confirmed

Cycling’s world governing body, International Cycling Union (UCI), stripped American cyclist Lance Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles Monday, saying the suspected drugs cheat “has no place in cycling”.

Earlier this month, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) released more than 1,000 pages of evidence – including dozens of sworn statements from witnesses, 11 of whom were teammates – which the agency claims prove Armstrong used banned substances in his sport.

The UCI Monday recognised and accepted the findings, seeing fit to revoke the cancer-survivor’s most prestigious titles.

“The UCI will ban Lance Armstrong from cycling, and the UCI will strip him of his seven Tour de France titles,” the body’s president Pat McQuaid said Monday. “Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling.”

McQuaid also praised the athletes who came forward to testify against Armstrong.

“We have come too far in the fight against doping to return to our past. Cycling has a future, and something like this must never happen again.”

Armstrong, 41, has had all his results since Aug 1, 1998 declared void.

He had already received a life ban from USADA for what the organisation called “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.”

The Texan is yet to comment on any of the findings.

Disgraced Lance Armstrong’s fate is sealed, as cycling’s under-fire world governing body decides to back a life ban for doping and strip him of his record seven Tour de France titles.

Photo :  AFP