24 August 2012 was the saddest day for all cycling enthusiasts, referees and cyclists. On this day, the head of the United States Anti-Doping Committee (USADA) made a statement that the famous American cyclist Lance Armstrong had stopped trying to justify his suspicions of doping. It is considered that by this the athlete admitted his guilt, and the results of his achievements will be canceled.
Lance Armstrong is a legendary cyclist who retired in 2011. He became the winner of the famous Cycling Tour de France seven times, won a bronze medal at the Sydney Olympics, and has repeatedly won other, less prestigious international competitions. He planned to leave the big sport back in 2005, but then, after 3 years, he returned to it and continued to participate in competitions for another three years.
This man aroused sympathy among sports fans, fans and colleagues not only for his achievements on the track, but also for his strength of character. In 1996 he was hospitalized with a diagnosis of "oncology", the disease was complicated by numerous metastases. After recovering, the athlete founded his own charity foundation, which provides assistance to cancer patients.
According to The Washington Post, Armstrong received an official letter with accusations against him in June 2012. There were many points in it, each of which is quite serious. The athlete was charged with "blood manipulation", the use and distribution of illegal drugs, their distribution and incitement of other athletes to use them. Lance refused to plead guilty and twice filed plea plea lawsuits in US courts. Both times his claims were denied.
After that, in August, the athlete announced that he was tired of fighting the accusations that had persecuted him recently. Calling the anti-doping investigation a "witch hunt," Armstrong said: “I know who won seven Tour de France races, and my friends know about it. Nobody can take it away from me."
USADA's response was immediate. The head of the agency Travis Tygart said that the cyclist's statement is regarded as an admission of guilt, and therefore all his sporting achievements, from 1999 to 2005, will be canceled. Along with others, Lance Armstrong was stripped of the title of winner of the Tour de France, all seven victories in this competition, unfortunately, fell on the specified period.
