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Lance Armstrong Stripped of All Tour de France Titles, Banned for Life as Cycling’s International Governing Body Ratifies the Sanctions Imposed on Armstrong by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. Armstrong’s Last Major Sponsor Drops Him

Oct 22, 2012  •  Post A Comment

"The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced Monday that Armstrong is being stripped of his Tour de France titles," reports CNN.

The report continues, "’Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling,’ said the union’s president, Pat McQuaid, announcing that Armstrong is banned from the sport."

The article says, "The decision follows this month’s finding by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that there is ‘overwhelming’ evidence that Armstrong was involved as a professional cyclist in ‘the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program.’"

On the heels of the UCI announcement, Armstrong’s last major sponsor, Oakley sunglasses, has dropped him. Oakley released this statement: "When Lance joined our family many years ago, he was a symbol of possibility. We are deeply saddened by the outcome, but look forward with hope to athletes and teams of the future who will rekindle that inspiration by racing clean, fair and honest. We believe the LIVESTRONG Foundation has been a positive force in the lives of many affected by cancer and, at this time, Oakley will continue to support its noble goals."

Armstrong still faces other sanctions.

Reports The New York Times, "The World Anti-Doping Agency now has 21 days to decide whether it will appeal the ruling. If it does not, Armstrong’s hotly contested case is over."

The Times story adds, "The International Olympic Committee is reviewing his case and now will likely strip him of the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. SCA Promotions, an insurance company based in Dallas, will probably start the process of trying to recoup the bonus money it awarded Armstrong for winning Tour after Tour. Armstrong sued the company in 2005 to force it to pay him the bonus he was owed for winning the 2004 Tour. The company had withheld that bonus because of accusations in the book “L.A. Confidentiel,” published only in French, which said Armstrong had doped and cheated to win. The two parties reached a settlement, with the insurance company paying Armstrong $7.5 million."

The UCI said no winners will be listed for the Tour de France from 1999-2005, which were the seven years Armstrong had previously been listed as the winner of race.

To read TVWeek Open Mic blogger Chuck Ross’ comments about Armstrong deceiving cycling team sponsor Discovery Channel, please click here.

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