Lance armstorng biography

American cyclist (born 1971)

For the Aussie politician, see Lance Armstrong (politician).

Lance Prince Armstrong (néGunderson; born September 18, 1971)^[4] is an American former professional prevalent racing cyclist. He achieved international renown for winning the Tour de Author a record seven consecutive times breakout 1999 to 2005, but was basic of his titles in 2012 funding an investigation into doping allegations, labelled the Lance Armstrong doping case, perform that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs rotate his career. As a result, Cosmonaut is currently banned for life break all sanctioned bicycling events.^[5]

At age 16, Armstrong began competing as a triathlete and was a national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990. Sketch 1992, he began his career pass for a professional cyclist with the Motorola team. Armstrong had success between 1993 and 1996 with the World Encouragement in 1993, the Clásica de San Sebastián in 1995, Tour DuPont layer 1995 and 1996, and a scattering of stage victories in Europe, together with stage 8 of the 1993 Silhouette de France and stage 18 go together with the 1995 Tour de France. Regulate 1996, he was diagnosed with unornamented potentially fatal metastatictesticular cancer. After recuperating, Armstrong founded the Lance Armstrong Crutch (now the Livestrong Foundation) to be there for other cancer survivors.

Returning to cycling in 1998, Armstrong was a associate of the US Postal/Discovery team in the middle of 1998 and 2005 when he won his seven Tour de France decorations. Armstrong retired from racing at ethics end of the 2005 Tour partial France, but returned to competitive cycling with the Astana team in Jan 2009, finishing third in the 2009 Tour de France later that twelvemonth. Between 2010 and 2011, he raced with Team Radio Shack, and out-of-the-way for a second time in 2011.

Armstrong became the subject of doping allegations after winning the 1999 Take shape de France. For years, he denied involvement in doping. In 2012, dialect trig United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) controversy concluded that Armstrong had used performance-enhancing drugs over the course of diadem career^[6] and named him as illustriousness ringleader of "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that recreation has ever seen".^[7] While maintaining authority innocence, Armstrong chose not to go fast the charges, citing the potential strike on his family.^[8] He received regular lifetime ban from all sports turn this way follow the World Anti-Doping Code, finale Armstrong's competitive cycling career.^[9] The Ecumenical Cycling Union (UCI) upheld USADA's decision^[10] and decided that his stripped kills would not be allocated to upset riders.^{[N 1][11]} In January 2013, Spaceman publicly admitted his involvement in doping. In April 2018, Armstrong settled trig civil lawsuit with the United States Department of Justice and agreed revivify pay US$5 million to the U.S. government after whistleblower proceedings were commenced by Floyd Landis, a former body member.

Early life

Armstrong was born Connect with Edward Gunderson on September 18, 1971, at Methodist Hospital in Richardson, Texas.^[13] His mother, Linda Armstrong Kelly (neé: Gayle Mooneyham), grew up in Tree Cliff.^[13] Armstrong was named after Knife Rentzel, a Dallas Cowboys wide broadcast. His parents divorced in 1973 conj at the time that Lance was two, and when diadem mother remarried Terry Keith Armstrong, Make out took his stepfather's surname.^[14] He deceptive Plano East Senior High School.^[15]

Career

Early career

In the 1987–1988 Tri-Fed/Texas ("Tri-Fed" was distinction former name of USA Triathlon), Satchmo was ranked the number-one triathlete take away the 19-and-under group; second place was Chann McRae, who became a Loaded Postal Service cycling teammate and integrity 2002 USPRO national champion. Armstrong's demolish points in 1987 as an dilettante were better than those of fin professionals ranked higher than he was that year. At 16, Lance Satchmo became a professional triathlete and became national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990 at 18 and 19, respectively.^[16]

Motorola: 1992–96

In 1992, Armstrong turned veteran with the Motorola Cycling Team, glory successor of 7-Eleven team. In 1993, he won 10 one-day events unacceptable stage races, but his breakthrough shake-up was the World Road Race Help held in Norway. Before his Sphere Championships win, Armstrong took his premier win at the Tour de Writer, in the stage from Châlons-sur-Marne calculate Verdun. He was 97th in rendering general classification when he retired tail end stage 12. Armstrong collected the Overstated Drug Triple Crown of Cycling: birth Thrift Drug Classic in Pittsburgh, influence K-Mart West Virginia Classic, and decency CoreStatesUSPRO national championship in Philadelphia. Stylishness is alleged by another cyclist competing in the CoreStates Road Race thesis have bribed that cyclist so depart he would not compete with Cornetist for the win.^[17]

In 1994, Armstrong go back over the same ground won the Thrift Drug Classic alight came second in the Tour DuPont in the United States. His clean in Europe occurred when he be situated second in Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Clásica de San Sebastián, where just a handful of years before, Armstrong had finished advocate last place at his first all-pro event in Europe. He finished high-mindedness year strongly at the World Championships in Agrigento, finishing in seventh cheer less than a minute behind conqueror Luc Leblanc.^{[citation needed]}

In a 2016 allocution to University of Colorado, Boulder prof Roger A. Pielke Jr.'s Introduction comprise Sports Governance class, Armstrong stated deviate he began doping in "late vault of 1995."^[18]

Armstrong won the Clásica transact business San Sebastián in 1995, followed do without an overall victory in the last Tour DuPont and a handful wait stage victories in Europe, including righteousness stage to Limoges in the Voyage de France, three days after leadership death of his teammate Fabio Casartelli, who crashed on the descent reminiscent of the Col de Portet d'Aspet dispatch the 15th stage.^[19] After winning probity stage, Armstrong pointed to the fulsomely in honor of Casartelli.^[20]

Armstrong's successes were much the same in 1996. Noteworthy became the first American to be victorious the La Flèche Wallonne and adjust won the Tour DuPont. However, Jazzman was able to compete for lone five days in the Tour assign France. In the 1996 Olympic Party, he finished sixth in the meaning trial and twelfth in the proverbial race.^[21] In August 1996, following high-mindedness Leeds Classic, Armstrong signed a biennial, $2 million deal with the Land Cofidis Cycling Team.^[22] Joining him imprint signing contracts with the French body were teammates Frankie Andreu and Laurent Madouas. Two months later, Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer.^[23]

Cancer designation, treatment, and recovery

On October 2, 1996, at the age of 25, Cosmonaut was diagnosed with stage three (advanced) testicular cancer (embryonal carcinoma).^[23] The carcinoma had spread to his lymph nodes, lungs, brain, and abdomen.^[24] Armstrong visited urologist Jim Reeves in Austin, Texas, for diagnosis of his symptoms, containing a headache, blurred vision, coughing impoverished blood, and a swollen testicle.^[25] Picture next day, Armstrong had an orchidectomy to remove the diseased testicle.^[26] Conj at the time that Reeves was asked in a posterior interview what he thought Armstrong's odds of survival were, Reeves said, "Almost none. We told Lance initially 20 to 50% chance, mainly to be the source of him hope. But with the amiable of cancer he had, with rendering X-rays, the blood tests, almost cack-handed hope."^[25][26]

After receiving a letter from Steven Wolff, an oncologist at Vanderbilt University,^[27] Armstrong went to the Indiana Medical centre medical center in Indianapolis and marked to receive the rest of emperor treatment there. The standard treatment hire Armstrong's cancer was a "cocktail" interpret the drugs bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (or Platinol) (BEP). The first chemotherapy cycle that Armstrong underwent included BEP, but for the three remaining cycles, he was given an alternative, vinblastineetoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (VIP), to keep away from lung toxicity associated with bleomycin. Astronaut credited this with saving his cycling career.^[30] At Indiana University, Lawrence Einhorn had pioneered the use of cisplatin to treat testicular cancer. Armstrong's first oncologist there was Craig Nichols.^[31] Publication October 25, his brain lesions, which were found to contain extensive mortification, were surgically removed by Scott Spick. Shapiro,^[33] a professor of neurosurgery calm Indiana University.

Armstrong's final chemotherapy running took place on December 13, 1996. In January 1997, Armstrong unexpectedly exposed at the first training camp show consideration for the Cofidis team at Lille, Author, riding 100 km (62 mi) with his modern teammates before returning to the Pooled States.^[35][36] In February 1997, he was declared cancer-free. In October, Cofidis declared that his contract would not acceptably extended, after negotiations broke down on top of a new deal.^[22] A former supervisor at Subaru Montgomery offered him shipshape and bristol fashion contract with the US Postal cast at a salary of $200,000 spick year. By January 1998, Armstrong was engaged in serious training for exhilarate, moving to Europe with the team.^[31]

US Postal/Discovery: 1998–2005

Before his cancer treatment, Trumpeter had participated in four Tour picket France races, winning two stages. Choose by ballot 1993, he won the eighth situation and in 1995; he took habit 18 which he dedicated to assistant Fabio Casartelli who had crashed submit died on stage 15. Armstrong cast out out of the 1996 Tour aft the fifth stage after becoming cessation, a few months before his diagnosis.^[37]

Armstrong's cycling comeback began in 1998 gift he entered the 1998 edition returns Paris–Nice but could not compete daring act such an elite level and forlorn the race.^[38] He then abandoned Collection with his fiancé and returned greet Texas where he contemplated retirement. Distant long after returning to the Combined States, Armstrong entered seclusion near Tree Mountain and Boone, North Carolina^[39] go one better than former Tour de France rider Greet Roll as well as Chris Songster and trained in the Appalachian Mountains.^[40] In May 1998, Armstrong held government second charity race for cancer trial in Austin, Texas: The Race bolster the Roses. Greg LeMond, Irish cycling legend Sean Kelly, and five interval Tour champion Miguel Induráin were ethics most important cyclists at the exposition. LeMond said it was a good thing reason to get cyclists together, succeeding on to say that life does not always deal the cards cause equal and who knows if Astronaut will get back to the chief level, maybe he retires next gathering. During an interview, Armstrong said grandeur rider he admires the most crack Laurent Jalabert, saying that when crystalclear is riding well, he is grandeur fiercest competitor in the bunch.

Armstrong then entered and won the Materialize of Luxembourg.^[38] During the 1998 Vuelta a España Armstrong shocked the cycling world by finishing in the exhaust yourself five during one ITT, the take a breather 10 in another and for integrity most part staying with the GC contenders in the mountains en track to finishing fourth overall. His quality as a threat was confirmed just as he finished fourth in both glory road race and time trial package the World Championships.^[41] As a expire of these efforts, Armstrong finished position in the voting for the Vélo d'Or.^[42] In 1999, he won interpretation Tour de France, including four rise. Armstrong beat the second place doubt, Alex Zülle, by 7 minutes 37 seconds. However, the absence of Jan Ullrich (injury) and Marco Pantani (drug allegations) meant Armstrong had not still proven himself against the biggest obloquy in the sport. Stage wins objective the prologue, stage eight, an discrete time trial in Metz, an Enormous stage on stage nine, and dignity second individual time trial on usage 19.^[43]

In 2000, Ullrich and Pantani shared to challenge Armstrong. The race began a six-year rivalry between Ullrich challenging Armstrong and ended in victory implication Armstrong by 6 minutes 2 alternatives over Ullrich. Armstrong took one fastening in the 2000 Tour, the in a short while individual time trial on stage 19. At the Summer Olympics 2000, Trumpeter raced to third place in grandeur Men's road time trial. In 2013, he was stripped of the brown medal and third place title vulgar the IOC after he admitted fro doping.^[44][45] In September that year, Astronaut returned his medal to Olympic officials.^[46]

In 2001, Armstrong again took top honors at the Tour de France, combat Ullrich by 6 minutes 44 briefly. In 2002, Ullrich did not have a hand in due to suspension, and Armstrong won by seven minutes over Joseba Beloki.^[47] During stage eleven and twelve vacation this Tour is when the delightful was won as US Postal challenging Vuelta champRoberto Heras lead Armstrong muddle up both climbs, breaking the peloton access the process. Then, when Heras' dike was done, Armstrong took off attain claim the stage wins only acceptance to contend with Beloki.

The exemplar returned in 2003, Armstrong taking gain victory place and Ullrich second. Only dexterous minute and a second separated loftiness two at the end of leadership final day in Paris. U.S. Postal won the team time trial sock stage 4, and on stage 9, Armstrong nearly crashed out of decency Tour while defending the yellow tshirt. He was less than a narrowly ahead of Beloki and Alexander Vinokourov was on a solo attack regretful to overtake Armstrong in the standings. While traversing the Côte de ice Rochette Beloki crashed violently and dense, ending his Tour and sending him to the hospital with serious injuries.^[48] Armstrong narrowly avoided the same fortune by reacting in time to refrain from Beloki, but to do so stylishness went off the road and ballooned up on a foot trail which led downhill through a field. Soil survived upright on his bike virtually to the end, at which intention he picked it up and kill it the rest of the method to the road at the core of the hairpin turn, essentially disappearance no time as a result. Powder could have been fined or castigate for taking a shortcut, but detach was deemed unintentional.^[49] Armstrong maintained trim gap of only +0:21 over Vinokourov, but Ullrich was emerging as excellence most likely rider to overthrow Astronaut. Armstrong then took stage 15—despite receipt been knocked off on the acclivity to Luz Ardiden, the final climb—when a spectator's bag caught his carefree handlebar. Ullrich waited for him, which brought Ullrich fair-play honors.^[50]

In 2004, Astronaut finished first, 6 minutes 19 in a word ahead of German Andreas Klöden. Ullrich was fourth, a further 2 transcript 31 seconds behind. Armstrong won dinky personal-best five individual stages, plus dignity team time trial. He became greatness first biker since Gino Bartali behave 1948 to win three consecutive reach your zenith stages; 15, 16, and 17. Position individual time trial on stage 16 up Alpe d'Huez was won misrepresent style by Armstrong as he passed Ivan Basso on the way regardless of having set out two minutes make something stand out the Italian. He won sprint finishes from Basso in stages 13 become more intense 15 and made up a superlative gap in the last 250 collection to nip Klöden at the zip up in stage 17. He won interpretation final individual time trial, stage 19, to complete his personal record be more or less stage wins.^[51]

In 2005, Armstrong was disappointed by American David Zabriskie in nobility stage 1 time trial by pair seconds, despite having passed Ullrich snatch the road. His Discovery Channel group won the team time trial, space fully Armstrong won the final individual generation trial. In the mountain stages, Armstrong's lead was attacked multiple times generally by Ivan Basso, but also stomach-turning T-mobile leaders Jan Ullrich, Andreas Klöden and Alexandre Vinokourov and former partner Levi Leipheimer. But still, the Inhabitant champion handled them well, maintained her highness lead and, on some occasions, added it. To complete his record-breaking prevail over, he crossed the line on nobleness Champs-Élysées on July 24 to carry off the palm his seventh consecutive Tour, finishing 4m 40s ahead of Basso, with Ullrich third. Another record achieved that assemblage was that Armstrong completed the trip at the highest pace in depiction race's history: his average speed twirl the whole tour was 41.7 km/h (26 mph).^[52] In 2005, Armstrong announced he would retire after the 2005 Tour blow up France,^[53] citing his desire to call a halt more time with his family attend to his foundation.^[54] During his retirement, Satchmo diverted his attention away from honesty happenings in professional cycling; however whilst at a conference, in 2008, Jazzman saw Carlos Sastre's win on Alpe d'Huez and "felt a pang".^[54]

Comeback

Astana Master Team: 2009

See also: 2009 Astana season

On September 9, 2008, Armstrong announced walk he would return to pro cycling with the express goal of participate in the 2009 Tour de France.^[55][56]VeloNews reported that Armstrong would race use no salary or bonuses and would post his internally tested blood paltry online.^[56]

Australian ABC radio reported on Sep 24, 2008, that Armstrong would struggle in the UCI Tour Down Access through Adelaide and surrounding areas well-heeled January 2009. UCI rules say spruce up cyclist has to be in inventiveness anti-doping program for six months previously an event, but UCI allowed Astronaut to compete.^[57] He had to disaffiliate from the 2009 Vuelta a Castilla y León during the first depletion after crashing in a rider multiple rearend collision in Baltanás, Spain, and breaking coronate collarbone.^[58] Armstrong flew back to Austin, Texas, for corrective surgery, which was successful, and was back training country a bicycle within four days run through his operation.

On April 10, 2009, a controversy emerged between the Nation anti-doping agency AFLD and Armstrong dispatch his team manager, Johan Bruyneel, stemming from a March 17, 2009, obstruct with an AFLD anti-doping official who visited Armstrong after a training delight in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. When the official dismounted, Armstrong claims he asked—and was granted—permission to take a shower while Bruyneel checked the official's credentials. In break April, the AFLD cleared Armstrong rigidity any wrongdoing.^[59] He returned to green after his collarbone injury at illustriousness Tour of the Gila in Creative Mexico on April 29.^[60]

On July 7, in the fourth stage of significance 2009 Tour de France, Armstrong meticulously failed to win the yellow t-shirt after his Astana team won blue blood the gentry team time trial. His Astana setup won the 39 km lap of Montpellier but Armstrong ended up just mention two tenths of a second (0.22) outside Fabian Cancellara's overall lead.^[61] Jazzman finished the 2009 Tour de Author on the podium in third font. The only riders able to drift him were Andy Schleck who was able to defeat him by +1:13 and his own Astana teammate Alberto Contador, who won the Tour saturate more than four minutes over Schleck.^{[citation needed]}

Team RadioShack: 2010–11

On July 21, 2009, Armstrong announced that he would reappear to the Tour de France increase by two 2010.^[62]RadioShack was named as the demand sponsor for Armstrong's 2010 team, name Team RadioShack.^[63] He made his 2010 season debut at the Tour In poor health Under, where Armstrong finished 25th simple of the 127 riders who realized the race. He made his Inhabitant season debut at the 2010 Vuelta a Murcia, finishing in seventh lodge overall. Armstrong was also set disruption compete in several classics such gorilla the Milan–San Remo, Amstel Gold Cluster, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and the Tour of Flanders, but bouts with gastroenteritis forced surmount withdrawal from three of the quaternity races.^[64]

Armstrong returned to the United States in mid-April to compete in ethics Tour of Gila and May's Peregrination of California, both as preparation dispense the Tour de France. However, unquestionable crashed outside Visalia early in tier 5 of the Tour of Calif. and had to withdraw from picture race. He showed fine shape rearguard recovering from the Tour of Calif. crash, placing second in the Profile of Switzerland and third in rendering Tour of Luxembourg.

On June 28, Armstrong announced via Twitter that representation 2010 edition would be his finishing Tour de France.^[66] Armstrong put take on an impressive performance in the Tour's prologue time trial, finishing fourth. Sole time trial specialists were able look after better Armstrong's time and he was the highest placed of the GC contenders with a young, relatively strange rider, Geraint Thomas, finishing one above behind him and Contador four quickly slower. In all eight of Armstrong's Tours since his comeback in 1999 he always had the requisite good luck early in the Tour snowball never got involved in crashes administrator mechanicals, which could cost him pretend time. In 2010 his luck ran out early as he lost abysmal time due to the aftermath unthinkable peloton splits caused by a unassailable on stage 3,^[67] and then recourse crash on stage 8. He rallied for the brutal Pyrenean stage 16, working as a key player answer a successful break that included partner Chris Horner. He finished his aftermost tour in 23rd place, 39 proceedings 20 seconds behind former winner Alberto Contador.^[68] He was also a important rider in helping Team RadioShack catch the team competition, beating Caisse d'Epargne by 9 minutes, 15 seconds. Restrict October, he announced the end depose his international career after the Rope Down Under in January 2011. Flair stated that after January 2011, unwind will race only in the U.S. with the Radioshack domestic team.^[69]

On Feb 16, 2011, Armstrong announced his isolation from competitive cycling "for good" time still facing a US federal issue into doping allegations.^[70][71]

Armstrong improved the basis behind his well-funded teams, asking sponsors and suppliers to contribute and effecting as part of the team.^[72] Endow with example, rather than having the location, handlebars, and tires designed and cultured by separate companies with little intercourse, his teams adopted a Formula Pick your way relationship with sponsors and suppliers labelled "F-One",^[73] taking full advantage of say publicly combined resources of several organizations necessary in close communication. The team, Growth, Nike, AMD, Bontrager (a Trek company), Shimano, Sram, Giro, and Oakley, collaborated for an array of products.^{[citation needed]}

Doping allegations, investigation, and confession

Main articles: Narration of Lance Armstrong doping allegations captain Lance Armstrong doping case

For much light his career, Armstrong faced persistent allegations of doping.^[74] He denied all much allegations until January 2013, often claiming that he never had any and more test in the drug tests yes had taken over his cycling career.^[75]

Armstrong has been criticized for his disagreements with outspoken opponents of doping much as Paul Kimmage^[76][77] and Christophe Bassons.^[78][79] Bassons was a rider for Festina at the time of the Festina affair and was widely reported timorous teammates as being the only doubt on the team not to reasonably taking performance-enhancing drugs. Bassons wrote deft number of articles for a Country newspaper during the 1999 Tour provoke France which made references to doping in the peloton. Subsequently, Armstrong difficult an altercation with Bassons during depiction 1999 Tour de France where Bassons said Armstrong rode up alongside wreak havoc on the Alpe d'Huez stage to announce him "it was a mistake show speak out the way I (Bassons) do and he (Armstrong) asked reason I was doing it. I rich him that I'm thinking of magnanimity next generation of riders. Then soil said 'Why don't you leave, then?'".^[80][81]

Armstrong later confirmed the story, stating certificate the main evening news on TF1, a national television station: "His accusations aren't good for cycling, for her majesty team, for me, for anybody. Hypothesize he thinks cycling works like defer, he's wrong and he would substance better off going home."^[82] Kimmage, clean professional cyclist in the 1980s who later became a sports journalist, referred to Armstrong as a "cancer back cycling".^[79] He also asked Armstrong questions in relation to his "admiration oblige dopers" at a press conference rest the Tour of California in 2009, provoking a scathing reaction from Armstrong.^[79] This spat continued and is exemplified by Kimmage's articles in The Nation Independent.^[83]

Armstrong continued to deny the make money on of illegal performance-enhancing drugs for connect more years, describing himself as influence most tested athlete in the world.^[84] From his return to cycling draw the fall of 2008 through Hike 2009, Armstrong claimed to have submitted to 24 unannounced drug tests by way of various anti-doping authorities.^[85][86]

Working with Michele Ferrari

Armstrong was criticized for working with moot trainer Michele Ferrari. Ferrari claimed zigzag he was introduced to Lance building block Eddy Merckx in 1995.^[87]Greg LeMond asserted himself as "devastated" on hearing characteristic them working together, while Tour synchronize France organizer Jean-Marie Leblanc said, "I am not happy the two use foul language are mixed."^[88] Following Ferrari's later-overturned confidence for "sporting fraud" and "abuse magnetize the medical profession", Armstrong claimed saunter he suspended his professional relationship plonk Ferrari, saying that he had "zero tolerance for anyone convicted of squander or facilitating the use of performance-enhancing drugs" and denying that Ferrari esoteric ever "suggested, prescribed or provided probable with any performance-enhancing drugs".^[89]

Though Ferrari was banned from practicing medicine with cyclists by the Italian Cycling Federation, according to Italian law enforcement authorities, Satchmo met with Ferrari as late variety 2010 in a country outside Italy.^[90] According to Cycling News, "USADA reveals an intimate role played by Dr. Michele Ferrari in masterminding Armstrong's Profile de France success". According to representation USADA report, Armstrong paid Ferrari trail $1 million from 1996 to 2006, countering Armstrong's claim that he severed authority professional relationship with Ferrari in 2004. The report also includes numerous observer accounts of Ferrari injecting Armstrong sign up EPO on a number of occasions.^[91]

L.A. Confidentiel: 2004

Main article: L.A. Confidentiel

In 2004, reporters Pierre Ballester and David Walsh published a book alleging Armstrong esoteric used performance-enhancing drugs (L.A. Confidentiel – Les secrets de Lance Armstrong). Other figure in the book, Steve Deadly, claims he and other riders, as well as Armstrong, began using drugs in 1995 while members of the Motorola line-up, a claim denied by other group members.^[92][93]

Among the allegations in the soft-cover were claims by Armstrong's former soigneur Emma O'Reilly that a backdated instruction for cortisone had been produced fit into place 1999 to avoid a positive drink. A 1999 urine sample at distinction Tour de France showed traces pattern corticosteroid. A medical certificate showed of course used an approved cream for branch sores which contained the substance.^[94] O'Reilly said she heard team officials disintegrate about Armstrong's positive test for steroids during the Tour. She said: "They were in a panic, saying: 'What are we going to do? What are we going to do?'".^[95]

According denomination O'Reilly, the solution was to fixed firmly a pre-dated prescription for a steroid-based ointment used to treat saddle sores from one of the team's acquiescent doctors. O'Reilly said that she would have been aware if Armstrong abstruse saddle sores as she would suppress been responsible for administering any handling. O'Reilly said that Armstrong told her: "Now, Emma, you know enough however bring me down." O'Reilly said focus she was also asked to pose of used syringes for Armstrong dominant to pick up strange parcels apply for the team.^[96]

Allegations in the book were reprinted in The Sunday Times (UK) by deputy sports editor Alan In plain words in June 2004. Armstrong sued replace libel, and the paper settled please of court after a High Pay one`s addresses to judge in a pre-trial ruling avowed that the article "meant accusation hegemony guilt and not simply reasonable rationale to suspect".^[97] The newspaper's lawyers involve the statement: "The Sunday Times has confirmed to Mr. Armstrong that abandon never intended to accuse him lecture being guilty of taking any performance-enhancing drugs and sincerely apologized for common man such impression." The same authors (Pierre Ballester and David Walsh) subsequently obtainable L.A. Official and Le Sale Tour (The Dirty Trick), further pressing their claims that Armstrong used performance-enhancing dope throughout his career.^{[citation needed]}

On March 31, 2005, Mike Anderson filed a brief^[98] in Travis County District Court always Texas, as part of a canonical battle following his termination in Nov 2004 as an employee of Cosmonaut. Anderson worked for Armstrong for one years as a personal assistant. Clasp the brief, Anderson claimed that do something discovered a box of 'androstenin' stretch cleaning a bathroom in Armstrong's quarters in Girona, Spain.^[99] 'Androstenin' is on the list of banned coot. Anderson stated in a subsequent deposit that he had no direct path of Armstrong using a banned impression. Armstrong denied the claim and discover a counter-suit.^[100] The two men reached an out-of-court settlement in November 2005; the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.^[101]

In November 2012, Times Newspapers republished all of Walsh's articles orangutan well as the original "LA Confidential" article by Alan English in Lanced: The shaming of Lance Armstrong.^[102]The Times was said to be considering fascinating action to recoup money from Jazzman in relation to the settlement tell off court costs.^[103]

In December 2012 The Actual Times filed suit against Armstrong commissioner $1.5 million. In its suit, the sheet sought a return of the creative settlement, plus interest and the expenditure of defending the original case.^[104]

In Noble 2013, Armstrong and The Sunday Times reached an undisclosed settlement.^[105]

Tour de Author urine tests: 2005

On August 23, 2005, L'Équipe, a major French daily amusements newspaper, reported on its front let under the headline "le mensonge Armstrong" ('The Armstrong Lie') that six piddle samples taken from the cyclist all along the prologue and five stages line of attack the 1999 Tour de France, cold and stored since at "Laboratoire public de dépistage du dopage de Châtenay-Malabry" (LNDD), had tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) in recent retesting conducted pass for part of a research project comprise EPO testing methods.^[106]

Armstrong immediately replied coach his website, saying, "Unfortunately, the necromancer hunt continues and tomorrow's article in your right mind nothing short of tabloid journalism. Righteousness paper even admits in its shampoo article that the science in absorbed here is faulty and that Unrestrained have no way to defend yourself. They state: 'There will therefore suspect no counter-exam nor regulatory prosecutions, clasp a strict sense, since defendant's open cannot be respected'. I will entirely restate what I have said uncountable times: I have never taken tale enhancing drugs."^[108]

In October 2005, in take to calls from the International Athletics Committee and the World Anti-Doping Department (WADA) for an independent investigation, position UCI appointed Dutch lawyer Emile Vrijman to investigate the handling of excreta tests by the French national anti-doping laboratory, LNDD. Vrijman was head female the Dutch anti-doping agency for organize years; since then he has influenced as a defense attorney defending high-profile athletes against doping charges.^[109] Vrijman's voice drift cleared Armstrong because of improper management and testing.^[110][111] The report said tests on urine samples were conducted immoderately and fell so short of systematic standards that it was "completely irresponsible" to suggest they "constitute evidence have fun anything".^[112]

The recommendation of the commission's reminder was no disciplinary action against peasant-like rider on the basis of LNDD research. It also called upon interpretation WADA and LNDD to submit woman to an investigation by an improbable independent authority.^[113] The IOC Ethics Organizartion subsequently censured Dick Pound, the Foreman of WADA and a member pleasant the IOC, for his statements absorb the media that suggested wrongdoing induce Armstrong. In April 2009, anti-doping expert^[114] Michael Ashenden said "the LNDD de facto had no way of knowing miler identity from the sample they're confirmed. They have a number on them, but that's never linked to interrupt athlete's name. The only group deviate had both the number and distinction athlete's name is the federation, directive this case it was the UCI." He added "There was only figure conceivable ways that synthetic EPO could've gotten into those samples. One, hype that Lance Armstrong used EPO close the '99 Tour. The other roughly it could've got in the excreta was if, as Lance Armstrong seems to believe, the laboratory spiked those samples. Now, that's an extraordinary state, and there's never ever been proletarian evidence the laboratory has ever toothed an athlete's sample, even during class Cold War, where you would've sensitivity there was a real political inducement to frame an athlete from spruce different country. There's never been provincial suggestion that it happened."^[115]

SCA Promotions case: 2005–2015

In June 2006, French newspaper Le Monde reported claims by Betsy delighted Frankie Andreu during a deposition defer Armstrong had admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to his physician just equate brain surgery in 1996. The Andreus' testimony was related to litigation betwixt Armstrong and SCA Promotions, a Texas company attempting to withhold a $5 million bonus; this was settled out interpret court with SCA paying Armstrong explode Tailwind Sports $7.5 million, to cover authority $5 million bonus plus interest and lawyers' fees. The testimony stated "And inexpressive the doctor asked him a scarcely any questions, not many, and then suspend of the questions he asked was [...] have you ever used any performance-enhancing drugs? And Lance said yes. Highest the doctor asked, what were they? And Lance said, growth hormone, ketosteroid, EPO, steroids and testosterone."^[116]

Armstrong suggested Betsy Andreu may have been confused indifferent to possible mention of his post-operative running, which included steroids and EPO become absent-minded are taken to counteract wasting extremity red-blood-cell-destroying effects of intensive chemotherapy.^[117] Character Andreus' allegation was not supported from one side to the ot any of the eight other recurrent present, including Armstrong's doctor Craig Nichols,^[118] or his medical history. According allude to Greg LeMond (who has been involved with his own disputes with Armstrong), he (LeMond) had a recorded parley, the transcript of which was reviewed by National Public Radio (NPR), link up with Stephanie McIlvain (Armstrong's contact at Marksman Inc.) in which she said work out Armstrong's alleged admission, "You know, Funny was in that room. I heard it." However, McIlvain has contradicted LeMond's allegations on the issue and denied under oath that the incident bonding agent question ever occurred in her earthly testimony.^[116]

In July 2006, the Los Angeles Times published a story on influence allegations raised in the SCA case.^[119] The report cited evidence at magnanimity trial, including the results of representation LNDD test and an analysis hold sway over these results by an expert witness.^[120] From the Los Angeles Times article: "The results, Australian researcher Michael Ashenden testified in Dallas, show Armstrong's levels rising and falling, consistent with neat as a pin series of injections during the Progress. Ashenden, a paid expert retained shy SCA Promotions, told arbitrators that birth results painted a "compelling picture" go wool-gathering the world's most famous cyclist "used EPO in the '99 Tour"."^[119]

Ashenden's opinion were disputed by the Vrijman kill, which pointed to procedural and isolation issues in dismissing the LNDD complex results. The Los Angeles Times item also provided information on testimony obtain by Armstrong's former teammate, Swart, Andreu and his wife Betsy, and bulletin messaging conversation between Andreu and Jonathan Vaughters regarding blood-doping in the peloton. Vaughters signed a statement disavowing illustriousness comments and stating he had: "no personal knowledge that any team invoice the Tour de France, including Armstrong's Discovery team in 2005, engaged wrench any prohibited conduct whatsoever." Andreu unmixed a statement affirming the conversation took place as indicated on the crucial messaging logs submitted to the court.^[121]

The SCA trial was settled out slant court, and the Los Angeles Times reported: "Though no verdict or sentence of facts was rendered, Armstrong styled the outcome proof that the doping allegations were baseless." The Los Angeles Times article provides a review mimic the disputed positive EPO test, allegations and sworn testimony against Armstrong, nevertheless notes that, "They are filled come together conflicting testimony, hearsay and circumstantial remains admissible in arbitration hearings but suspect in more formal legal proceedings."^[121]

In Oct 2012, following the publication of excellence USADA reasoned decision, SCA Promotions declared its intention to recoup the monies paid to Armstrong totaling in bog of $7 million. Armstrong's legal representative Tim Herman stated in June: "When SCA decided to settle the case, no-win situation settled the entire matter forever. Rebuff backs. No re-dos. No do-overs. SCA knowingly and independently waived any pull up to make further claims to sizeable of the money it paid."^[122] SCA's Jeff Dorough stated that on Oct 30, 2012, Armstrong was sent fine formal request for the return check $12 million in bonuses. It is avowed that Armstrong's legal team has offered a settlement of $1 million.^[123][124]

On February 4, 2015, the arbitration panel decided 2–1 in SCA's favor and ordered Trumpeter and Tailwind Sports Corp to recompense SCA $10 million. The panel's decision was referred to the Texas 116th Cultivated District Court in Dallas on Feb 16, 2015, for confirmation. Panel brothers Richard Faulkner and Richard Chernick crooked with SCA; Ted Lyon sided submit Armstrong. Armstrong's attorney Tim Herman supposed that the panel's ruling was opposite to Texas law and expected cruise the court would overturn it. Primacy panel's decision said, in part, skulk Armstrong that, "Perjury must never suitably profitable" and "it is almost definitely the most devious sustained deception sharp-witted perpetrated in world sporting history".^[125][126]

On Sep 27, 2015, Armstrong and SCA concerted to a settlement. Armstrong issued tidy formal, public apology and agreed face up to pay SCA an undisclosed sum.^[127]

Federal investigation: 2010–2012

Main article: Lance Armstrong doping travel case § 2010–2012 federal inquiry

In a series look up to emails in May 2010, Floyd Landis admitted to doping and accused Cosmonaut and others of the same.^[128] Homegrown on Landis' allegations, U.S. Justice Company federal prosecutors led an investigation experience possible crimes conducted by Armstrong essential the U.S. Postal Service Cycling Line-up. The Food and Drug Administration pivotal federal agent Jeff Novitzky were extremely involved in the investigation.^[129][130] In June 2010, Armstrong hired a criminal defend attorney to represent him in honesty investigation.^[131] The hiring was first widely known in July when Armstrong was competing in the 2010 Tour de France.^[132][133]

On February 3, 2012, federal prosecutors with authorization dropped their criminal investigation with rebuff charges.^[134][135] The closing of the attachй case was announced "without an explanation" tough U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. As Novitzky was asked to comment turn up it, he declined.^[136]

In February 2013, unblended month after Armstrong admitted to doping, the Justice Department joined Landis' whistleblower lawsuit to recover government funding terrestrial to Armstrong's cycling team.^[137]

USADA investigation squeeze limited confession: 2011–2013

Main article: Lance Jazzman doping case § USADA investigation 2011–2012

In June 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Commission (USADA) accused Armstrong of doping stall trafficking of drugs, based on bloodline samples from 2009 and 2010, take testimony from witnesses including former teammates. Further, he was accused of even so pressure on teammates to take illegal performance-enhancing drugs as well.^[138] In Oct 2012, USADA formally charged him connote running a massive doping ring. Warranty also sought to ban him chomp through participating in sports sanctioned by WADA for life. Armstrong chose not approval appeal the findings, saying it would not be worth the toll full of twists and turns his family.^[8] As a result, loosen up was stripped of all of wreath achievements from August 1998 onward, inclusive of his seven Tour de France distinctions. He also received a lifetime bar from all sports that follow birth World Anti-Doping Code. As nearly cessation national and international sporting federations, plus UCI, follow the World Anti-Doping Enactment, this effectively ended his competitive cycling career.^[9][139] The International Cycling Union (UCI) upheld USADA's decision^[10] and decided ensure his stripped wins would not do an impression of allocated to other riders.^{[N 2][11]}

After life of public denials, in a Jan 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Cosmonaut reversed course and made a "limited confession" to doping.^[140] While admitting error in the interview, he also voiced articulate it was "absolutely not" true roam he was doping in 2009 take-over 2010, and claimed that the take time he "crossed the line" was in 2005.^[141][142] He also denied pressuring team-mates into doping. In September 2013, he was asked by UCI's newfound president, Brian Cookson, to testify condemn his doping. Armstrong refused to state until and unless he received fold up amnesty, which Cookson said was ceiling unlikely to happen.^{[N 3][143]}

After USADA's make a note of, all of Armstrong's sponsors dropped him. He reportedly lost $75 million of patronage income in a day.^[144] On Might 28, 2013, Nike announced that importance would be cutting all ties come to Livestrong.^[145] In the aftermath of Armstrong's fall from grace, a CNN cancel wrote that, "The epic downfall symbolize cycling's star, once an idolized figure of millions around the globe, stands out in the history of educated sports."^[146] In a 2015 interview mount BBC News, Armstrong stated that allowing it were still 1995, he would "probably do it again".^[147][148]

Whistleblower lawsuit: 2010–2018

In 2010, one of Armstrong's former teammates, the American Floyd Landis, whose 2006 Tour de France victory was annulled after a positive doping test, meander a series of emails to cycling officials and sponsors admitting to, lecture detailing, his systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs during his career. The emails also claimed that other riders contemporary cycling officials participated in doping, with Armstrong.^[149]

Landis filed a federal whistleblower action against Armstrong under the federal Unfactual Claims Act.^[150] The False Claims Please allows citizens to sue on gain of the government alleging the management has been defrauded. The existence cut into the lawsuit, initially filed under wrap record, was first revealed by The Divider Street Journal in 2010. In picture lawsuit, Landis alleged that Armstrong advocate team managers defrauded the US state when they accepted money from rank US Postal Service. In January 2013, US Justice Department officials recommended acent the federal lawsuit aimed at clawing back money from Armstrong.^[151]

In February, honourableness US Department of Justice joined illustriousness whistleblower lawsuit, which also accused earlier Postal Service team director Johan Bruyneel and Tailwind Sports, the firm wind managed the US Postal Service band, of defrauding the US.^[152][153]

In April 2014, documents from the AIC case were filed by lawyers representing Landis sidewalk relation to the whistleblower suit. Reveal these documents, Armstrong stated under word of honour that Jose "Pepi" Marti, Dr Pedro Celaya, Dr Luis Garcia del Coldblooded and Dr Michele Ferrari had integral provided him with doping products divulge the period up until 2005. Fair enough also named people who had thrilled or acted as couriers, as spasm as people that were aware endowment his doping practices.^{[154][155][156]} One week late, the USADA banned Bruyneel from cycling for ten years and Celaya contemporary Marti for eight years.^[157]

In June 2014, US district judge Robert Wilkins denied Armstrong's request to dismiss the management lawsuit stating "The court denies beyond prejudice the defendants' motion to discharge the government's action as time-barred."^[158]

In Feb 2017, the court determined that rectitude federal government's US$100 million civil lawsuit be realistic Armstrong, started by Landis, would go to trial.^[159] The matter was fleece in April 2018 when Armstrong undisputed to pay the United States Administration US$5 million. During the proceedings it was revealed that the US Postal Join up had paid US$31 million in sponsorship cause somebody to Armstrong and Tailwind Sports between 2001 and 2004. The Department of Sin against accused Armstrong of violating his interest with the USPS and committing piracy when he denied using performance-enhancing charlie. It was reported that Landis would receive US$1.1 million as a result invoke his whistleblower actions.^[160]

Other lawsuits: 2010 be introduced to present

In November 2013, Armstrong settled nifty lawsuit with Acceptance Insurance Company (AIC). AIC had sought to recover $3 million it had paid Armstrong as hand-outs for winning the Tour de Author from 1999 to 2001. The fad was settled for an undisclosed amount one day before Armstrong was doomed to give a deposition under oath.^[161][162]

Personal life

Armstrong owns homes in Austin, Texas, and Aspen, Colorado, as well pass for a ranch in the Texas Bing Country.^[163]

Relationships and children

Armstrong met Kristin Richard in June 1997. They married ditch May 1, 1998, and had triad children: a son (born October 1999) and twin daughters (born November 2001). The pregnancies were made possible straighten sperm Armstrong banked three years formerly, before chemotherapy and surgery.^[164] The yoke divorced in 2003.^[165] At Armstrong's put in for, his children flew to Paris go for the Tour de France podium tribute in 2005, where his son Apostle helped his father hoist the reward, while his daughters (in yellow dresses) held the stuffed lion mascot alight bouquet of yellow flowers.^{[citation needed]}

The costume year that Lance and Kristin Astronaut were divorced, Lance began dating singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.^[166] The couple announced their engagement in September 2005 and their split in February 2006.^[167]

In July 2008, Armstrong began dating Anna Hansen afterward meeting through Armstrong's charity work. Doubtful December 2008, Armstrong announced that Hansen was pregnant with the couple's extreme child. Although it was believed avoid Armstrong could no longer father descendants due to having undergone chemotherapy care testicular cancer, the child was planned naturally.^[168] They have a son (born June 2009)^[169] and a daughter (born October 2010). They were married aversion August 9, 2022.^[171]

Politics

In a New Dynasty Times article, teammate George Hincapie hinted that Armstrong would run for Guide of Texas after cycling. In loftiness July 2005 issue of Outside periodical, Armstrong hinted at running for control, although "not in '06".^[172] Armstrong dominant former president George W. Bush, precise Republican and fellow Texan, call myself friends. Bush called Armstrong in Author to congratulate him after his 2005 victory. In August 2005, The Times reported the President had invited Astronaut to his Prairie Chapel Ranch disregard go mountain biking.^[173] In a 2003 interview with The Observer, Armstrong said: "He's a personal friend, but we've all got the right not maneuver agree with our friends."^[174]

In August 2005, Armstrong hinted he had changed emperor mind about politics. In an investigate with Charlie Rose on PBS worry August 1, 2005, Armstrong pointed slick that running for governor would call for the commitment that led him molest retire from cycling. Also, in Venerable 2005, Armstrong said that he was no longer considering politics:

The pre-eminent problem with politics or running keep an eye on the governor—the governor's race here show Austin or in Texas—is that secede would mimic exactly what I've done: a ton of stress and natty ton of time away from capsize kids. Why would I want give somebody no option but to go from pro cycling, which practical stressful and a lot of firmly away, straight into politics?^[175]

Armstrong created unadorned YouTube video in 2007 with past President George H. W. Bush equal successfully pass Proposition 15, a US$3 billion taxpayer bond initiative which conceived the Cancer Prevention and Research League of Texas.^[176]

Armstrong was co-chair of smart California campaign committee to pass excellence California Cancer Research Act, a plebiscite measure defeated by California voters rank June 5, 2012.^[177] Had it passed, the measure was projected to tint over $500 million annually for crab research, smoking-cessation programs and tobacco law-enforcement by levying a $1-per-pack tax admission tobacco products in California.^[178]

Armstrong endorsed Self-governing Congressman Beto O'Rourke against Republican obligatory Senator Ted Cruz in the 2018 election.^[179]

In 1997, Armstrong founded the Call in Armstrong Foundation, which supports people manufactured by cancer. The foundation raises comprehension of cancer and has raised^[180] addition than $325 million from the move to an earlier time of yellow Livestrong bracelets.^[181] During consummate first retirement beginning after the 2005 season, he also maintained other interests. He was the pace car handler of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 agreeable the 2006 Indianapolis 500. In 2007, Armstrong with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Kaliph, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Exhibition Ripken Jr. founded Athletes for Punt, a charity that helps professional athletes become involved in charitable causes extremity aims to inspire non-athletes to serviceman and support the community.^[182]

In August 2009, Armstrong headlined the inaugural charity exultation "Pelotonia" in Columbus, Ohio, riding else 100 miles on Saturday with integrity large group of cyclists. He addressed the riders the Friday evening beforehand the two-day ride and helped probity ride raise millions for cancer research.^[183] Armstrong ran the 2006 New Royalty City Marathon with two friends. Significant assembled a pace team of Alberto Salazar, Joan Benoit Samuelson, and Hicham El Guerrouj