Armstrong’s choice not to contest means losing seven Tour de France titles.
Lance Armstrong fans were met with heartbreaking news late Thursday night. In a statement, the esteemed cycling and tri-athlete has said he will no longer be fighting charges that his success in the sport was attributed to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.
The allegations brought against Lance Armstrong started in June with reports that he was seen by several teammates injecting “EPO,” which is said to be a hormone that works as a blood booster, according to CBS News. Although Armstrong has gone through extensive drug screenings throughout his long-running career, the now retired athlete has said “enough is enough.”
The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released more sad news Thursday night, stating that Lance Armstrong will be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, in addition to a lifetime ban from any sporting event sanctioned by a sporting body that is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency code, according to USA Today.
Despite the unfortunate loss on Lance Armstrong’s part, who had his hard work and commitment to the sport stripped away, his foundation that aids in the fight against cancer will survive. In fact, by giving up in the fight against the USADA, he is strengthening his work with the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
“I have a responsibility to all those who have stepped forward to devote their time and energy to the cancer cause,” Armstrong said in his released statement.
Although his titles have been stripped away, Armstrong will not lose the support of his fans and sponsors, including Nike, who has said they will continue to support the man and his mission, according to CBS News.
As long as the iconic yellow bracelets are worn, Lance Armstrong’s fight against cancer through his foundation will live strong.
