Lance Armstrong stripped of his seven Tour de France titles

Published on 22/10/2012 12:32

LANCE Armstrong has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after the sport’s world governing body, the UCI, today accepted the findings of the United States Anti-Doping Agency’s investigation.

• US cyclist found to have taken part in doping programme

• UCI accepts findings of USADA

• Armstrong’s reputation is in tatters

Armstrong refused to co-operate with USADA, who earlier this month published a 1,000-page report which concluded the Texan and his United States Postal Service team ran “the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen”.

In accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, the UCI had 21 days to respond, until October 31, and president Pat McQuaid today announced the world governing body would accept USADA’s findings and ratified the sanctions imposed on Armstrong.

It means the Texan has been stripped of all results since August 1, 1998 and banned for life.

At a media conference in Geneva, McQuaid said: “(The UCI) will not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and it will recognise the sanctions that USADA has imposed.

“The UCI will ban Lance Armstrong from cycling and the UCI will strip him of his seven Tour de France titles.

“Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling.”