Lance Armstrong Stripped of Titles, Banned from Cycling

He's been having a rough month, and earlier today (October 22) Lance Armstrong learned that he would be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life by the UCI, cycling's governing body. 

Pat McQuaid, President of the International Cycling Union, confirmed that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report was accepted and that Armstrong's records from 1999 through 2005 would be effectively erased. 

Information compiled by the USADA indicated that Lance participated in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that the sport has ever seen," given that he was able to escape detection of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career. 

"Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling, and he deserves to be forgotten in cycling," said McQuaid. "This is a landmark day for cycling." 

Over the years Armstrong used a variety of drugs including steroids, EPO (a blood booster), and blood transfusions, according to many of his teammates.

Meanwhile, last week the 41-year-old stepped down as the chairman of his Livestrong Foundation and was fired by Nike in addition to losing several other endorsement deals.

Last Friday (October 19) Armstrong shared, "It's been an interesting couple of weeks. It's been a difficult couple of weeks for me and my family, my friends and this foundation. I say, 'I've been better, but I've also been worse.'" 

Despite recently stepping down as its chairman, Lance Armstrong spoke at the LIVESTRONG Challenge Ride at the Palmer Events Center in Austin, Texas on Sunday (October 21).

The embattled cyclist wore a black T-shirt and ball cap as he addressed more than 4,000 cyclists who rode to support cancer survivors.

His remarks at Friday's Ride for the Roses event did not address the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's allegations.

Though some donors have asked for their money back since learning of the USADA's findings as well as the UCI decision to ban him, Armstrong assured attendees concerned about cancer, "We will not be deterred. We will move forward." 

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