Lance Armstrong Facing Doping Charges

Cycling legend Lance Armstrong is being formally charged with illegally doping, though he continues to vehemently deny allegations and says his accusers aren’t playing fair.

FOX News Radio’s Lisa Brady reports:

Just months after Federal prosecutors wrapped up a two-year probe of Lance Armstrong with no indictment, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is bringing its own charges, raising questions about Armstrong’s historic seven wins in the Tour de France.

Armstrong says he has never doped, releasing a statement that accuses the USADA of dredging up allegations already discredited by the Justice Department probe.  He calls the charges baseless and motivated by spite, and adds he’s passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one.

Lisa Brady, FOX News Radio.

READ the full statement from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) HERE:

In response to numerous inquiries regarding the public statements made by Mr. Lance Armstrong, we can confirm that written notice of allegations of anti-doping rule violations was sent yesterday to him and to five (5) additional individuals all formerly associated with the United States Postal Service (USPS) professional cycling team. These individuals include three (3) team doctors and two (2) team officials. This formal notice letter is the first step in the multi-step legal process for alleged sport anti-doping rule violations.   USADA only initiates matters supported by the evidence. We do not choose whether or not we do our job based on outside pressures, intimidation or for any reason other than the evidence. Our duty on behalf of clean athletes and those that value the integrity of sport is to fairly and thoroughly evaluate all the evidence available and when there is credible evidence of doping, take action under the established rules.  As in every USADA case, all named individuals are presumed innocent of the allegations unless and until proven otherwise through the established legal process. If a hearing is ultimately held then it is an independent panel of arbitrators, not USADA that determines whether or not these individuals have committed anti-doping rule violations as alleged.   At this time USADA will not comment on the evidence or have further comment unless or until it is appropriate. 

READ the full statement from Lance Armstrong HERE:

I have been notified that USADA, an organization largely funded by taxpayer dollars but governed only by self-written rules, intends to again dredge up discredited allegations dating back more than 16 years to prevent me from competing as a triathlete and try and strip me of the seven Tour de France victories I earned. These are the very same charges and the same witnesses that the Justice Department chose not to pursue after a two-year investigation. These charges are baseless, motivated by spite and advanced through testimony bought and paid for by promises of anonymity and immunity. Although USADA alleges a wide-ranging conspiracy extended over more than 16 years, I am the only athlete it has chosen to charge. USADA’s malice, its methods, its star-chamber practices, and its decision to punish first and adjudicate later all are at odds with our ideals of fairness and fair play.

I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one. That USADA ignores this fundamental distinction and charges me instead of the admitted dopers says far more about USADA, its lack of fairness and this vendetta than it does about my guilt or innocence.