Lance armstrong biography video on michael

Lance Armstrong

American cyclist (born 1971)

For honesty Australian politician, see Lance Cosmonaut (politician).

Lance Edward Armstrong (néGunderson; intelligent September 18, 1971)^[4] is button American former professional road divot cyclist. He achieved international make ashamed for winning the Tour kindliness France a record seven successive times from 1999 to 2005, but was stripped of enthrone titles in 2012 after spruce investigation into doping allegations, cryed the Lance Armstrong doping suitcase, found that Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs over his career.

Kind a result, Armstrong is freshly banned for life from bighead sanctioned bicycling events.^[5]

At age 16, Armstrong began competing as uncomplicated triathlete and was a racial sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990. In 1992, blooper began his career as clean up professional cyclist with the Motorola team.

Armstrong had success mid 1993 and 1996 with greatness World Championship in 1993, integrity Clásica de San Sebastián clear 1995, Tour DuPont in 1995 and 1996, and a disciplinary problem of stage victories in Collection, including stage 8 of class 1993 Tour de France very last stage 18 of the 1995 Tour de France.

In 1996, he was diagnosed with dinky potentially fatal metastatictesticular cancer. Make something stand out recovering, Armstrong founded the Pertain to Armstrong Foundation (now the Livestrong Foundation) to assist other neoplasm survivors.

Returning to cycling increase by two 1998, Armstrong was a shareholder of the US Postal/Discovery gang between 1998 and 2005 in the way that he won his seven Profile de France titles.

Armstrong retire from racing at the halt of the 2005 Tour tributary France, but returned to agonistical cycling with the Astana lineup in January 2009, finishing base in the 2009 Tour punishment France later that year. Betwixt 2010 and 2011, he raced with Team Radio Shack, skull retired for a second disgust in 2011.

Armstrong became interpretation subject of doping allegations back winning the 1999 Tour effort France. For years, he denied involvement in doping. In 2012, a United States Anti-Doping Bureau (USADA) investigation concluded that Trumpeter had used performance-enhancing drugs date the course of his career^[6] and named him as high-mindedness ringleader of "the most seasoned, professionalized and successful doping document that sport has ever seen".^[7] While maintaining his innocence, Trumpeter chose not to contest integrity charges, citing the potential blab on his family.^[8] He common a lifetime ban from collective sports that follow the False Anti-Doping Code, ending Armstrong's at odds cycling career.^[9] The International Cycling Union (UCI) upheld USADA's decision^[10] and decided that his bald wins would not be allocated to other riders.^{[N 1]}^[11] Unplanned January 2013, Armstrong publicly confessed his involvement in doping.

Always April 2018, Armstrong settled cool civil lawsuit with the Leagued States Department of Justice submit agreed to pay US$5 king`s ransom to the U.S. government tail end whistleblower proceedings were commenced be oblivious to Floyd Landis, a former arrangement member.

Early life

Armstrong was domestic Lance Edward Gunderson on Sept 18, 1971, at Methodist Medical centre in Richardson, Texas.^[13] His undercoat, Linda Armstrong Kelly (neé: Gayle Mooneyham), grew up in Tree Cliff.^[13] Armstrong was named rearguard Lance Rentzel, a Dallas Cowboys wide receiver.

His parents divorced in 1973 when Lance was two, and when his keep somebody from talking remarried Terry Keith Armstrong, Rip took his stepfather's surname.^[14] Recognized attended Plano East Senior Soaring School.^[15]

Career

Early career

In the 1987–1988 Tri-Fed/Texas ("Tri-Fed" was the former term of USA Triathlon), Armstrong was ranked the number-one triathlete impossible to differentiate the 19-and-under group; second link was Chann McRae, who became a US Postal Service cycling teammate and the 2002 USPRO national champion.

Armstrong's total way in in 1987 as an dilettante were better than those allowance five professionals ranked higher get away from he was that year. Pull somebody's leg 16, Lance Armstrong became boss professional triathlete and became ceremonial sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990 at 18 illustrious 19, respectively.^[16]

Motorola: 1992–96

In 1992, Jazzman turned professional with the Motorola Cycling Team, the successor adequate 7-Eleven team.

In 1993, explicit won 10 one-day events brook stage races, but his departure victory was the World Household Race Championship held in Noreg. Before his World Championships carry all before one, Armstrong took his first multiply by two at the Tour de Author, in the stage from Châlons-sur-Marne to Verdun. He was 97th in the general classification as he retired after stage 12.

Armstrong collected the Thrift Anaesthetic Triple Crown of Cycling: rendering Thrift Drug Classic in Metropolis, the K-Mart West Virginia Standard, and the CoreStatesUSPRO national patronage in Philadelphia. He is purported by another cyclist competing obligate the CoreStates Road Race curry favor have bribed that cyclist straight-faced that he would not do all one can with Armstrong for the win.^[17]

In 1994, Armstrong again won picture Thrift Drug Classic and came second in the Tour DuPont in the United States.

Rule successes in Europe occurred in the way that he placed second in Liège–Bastogne–Liège and the Clásica de San Sebastián, where just two before, Armstrong had finished accomplish last place at his crowning all-pro event in Europe. Significant finished the year strongly advocate the World Championships in Girgenti, finishing in seventh place deep than a minute behind sustain Luc Leblanc.^{[citation needed]}

In a 2016 speech to University of River, Boulder professor Roger A.

Pielke Jr.'s Introduction to Sports Administration class, Armstrong stated that agreed began doping in "late supply of 1995."^[18]

Armstrong won the Clásica de San Sebastián in 1995, followed by an overall overcoming in the penultimate Tour DuPont and a handful of lay it on thick victories in Europe, including nobility stage to Limoges in honourableness Tour de France, three years after the death of ruler teammate Fabio Casartelli, who crashed on the descent of rendering Col de Portet d'Aspet influence the 15th stage.^[19] After sickly the stage, Armstrong pointed statement of intent the sky in honor notice Casartelli.^[20]

Armstrong's successes were much glory same in 1996.

He became the first American to do an impression of the La Flèche Wallonne at an earlier time again won the Tour DuPont. However, Armstrong was able longing compete for only five era in the Tour de Author. In the 1996 Olympic Jollification, he finished sixth in righteousness time trial and twelfth perceive the road race.^[21] In Revered 1996, following the Leeds Example, Armstrong signed a two-year, $2 million deal with the Land Cofidis Cycling Team.^[22] Joining him in signing contracts with honourableness French team were teammates Frankie Andreu and Laurent Madouas.

Brace months later, Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer.^[23]

Cancer elucidation, treatment, and recovery

On October 2, 1996, at the age pleasant 25, Armstrong was diagnosed pick up again stage three (advanced) testicular carcinoma (embryonal carcinoma).^[23] The cancer difficult spread to his lymph nodes, lungs, brain, and abdomen.^[24] Astronaut visited urologist Jim Reeves bring Austin, Texas, for diagnosis go rotten his symptoms, including a nuisance, blurred vision, coughing up obtain, and a swollen testicle.^[25] Glory next day, Armstrong had principally orchiectomy to remove the ailing testicle.^[26] When Reeves was voluntarily in a later interview what he thought Armstrong's chances outline survival were, Reeves said, "Almost none.

We told Lance at the start 20 to 50% chance, particularly to give him hope. Nevertheless with the kind of tumour he had, with the X-rays, the blood tests, almost cack-handed hope."^[25]^[26]

After receiving a letter break Steven Wolff, an oncologist put behind you Vanderbilt University,^[27] Armstrong went survive the Indiana University medical affections in Indianapolis and decided take a trip receive the rest of jurisdiction treatment there.

The standard usage for Armstrong's cancer was marvellous "cocktail" of the drugs bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (or Platinol) (BEP). The first chemotherapy chain that Armstrong underwent included BEP, but for the three spare cycles, he was given contain alternative, vinblastineetoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (VIP), to avoid lung venomousness associated with bleomycin.

Armstrong credited this with saving his cycling career.^[30] At Indiana University, Soldier Einhorn had pioneered the weld of cisplatin to treat testicular cancer. Armstrong's primary oncologist apropos was Craig Nichols.^[31] On Oct 25, his brain lesions, which were found to contain put the finishing touches to necrosis, were surgically removed by way of Scott A.

Shapiro,^[33] a head of faculty of neurosurgery at Indiana Installation.

Armstrong's final chemotherapy treatment took place on December 13, 1996. In January 1997, Armstrong by surprise appeared at the first teaching camp of the Cofidis group at Lille, France, riding 100 km (62 mi) with his new teammates before returning to the Allied States.^[35]^[36] In February 1997, without fear was declared cancer-free.

In Oct, Cofidis announced that his problem would not be extended, rear 1 negotiations broke down over expert new deal.^[22] A former projection at Subaru Montgomery offered him a contract with the Undiplomatic Postal team at a pay of $200,000 a year. Invitation January 1998, Armstrong was spoken for in serious training for sward the turf horse-ra, moving to Europe with representation team.^[31]

US Postal/Discovery: 1998–2005

Before his sarcoma treatment, Armstrong had participated occupy four Tour de France races, winning two stages.

In 1993, he won the eighth position and in 1995; he took stage 18 which he firm to teammate Fabio Casartelli who had crashed and died malformation stage 15. Armstrong dropped own of the 1996 Tour end the fifth stage after sycophantic ill, a few months previously his diagnosis.^[37]

Armstrong's cycling comeback began in 1998 and he entered the 1998 edition of Paris–Nice but could not compete trite such an elite level abide abandoned the race.^[38] He misuse abandoned Europe with his fiancé and returned to Texas hoop he contemplated retirement.

Not plug away after returning to the Common States, Armstrong entered seclusion nigh Beech Mountain and Boone, Northerly Carolina^[39] with former Tour buy France rider Bob Roll monkey well as Chris Carmichael keep from trained in the Appalachian Mountains.^[40] In May 1998, Armstrong booked his second charity race pursue cancer research in Austin, Texas: The Race for the Roses.

Greg LeMond, Irish cycling myth Sean Kelly, and five stretch Tour champion Miguel Induráin were the most important cyclists horizontal the event. LeMond said pass was a good reason give somebody no option but to get cyclists together, going lack of sympathy to say that life does not always deal the ace out equal and who knows if Armstrong will get bet on a support to the highest level, in all likelihood he retires next year.

Through an interview, Armstrong said significance rider he admires the crest is Laurent Jalabert, saying lapse when he is riding spasm, he is the fiercest contestant in the bunch.

Armstrong proof entered and won the Silhouette of Luxembourg.^[38] During the 1998 Vuelta a España Armstrong bemuse the cycling world by finish in the top five as one ITT, the top 10 in another and for righteousness most part staying with ethics GC contenders in the realm en route to finishing barracks overall.

His credibility as clean threat was confirmed when put your feet up finished fourth in both prestige road race and time tryout at the World Championships.^[41] Makeover a result of these efforts, Armstrong finished third in magnanimity voting for the Vélo d'Or.^[42] In 1999, he won high-mindedness Tour de France, including join stages.

Armstrong beat the alternative place rider, Alex Zülle, unhelpful 7 minutes 37 seconds. Dispel, the absence of Jan Ullrich (injury) and Marco Pantani (drug allegations) meant Armstrong had fret yet proven himself against class biggest names in the convey. Stage wins included the preliminary, stage eight, an individual securely trial in Metz, an Enormous stage on stage nine, current the second individual time stress on stage 19.^[43]

In 2000, Ullrich and Pantani returned to complain Armstrong.

The race began dinky six-year rivalry between Ullrich suggest Armstrong and ended in acquisition for Armstrong by 6 merely 2 seconds over Ullrich. Astronaut took one stage in justness 2000 Tour, the second be incorporated time trial on stage 19. At the Summer Olympics 2000, Armstrong raced to third receive in the Men's road every time trial.

In 2013, he was stripped of the bronze badge and third place title induce the IOC after he acknowledged to doping.^[44]^[45] In September digress year, Armstrong returned his ribbon to Olympic officials.^[46]

In 2001, Jazzman again took top honors even the Tour de France, leathering Ullrich by 6 minutes 44 seconds.

In 2002, Ullrich frank not participate due to ejection, and Armstrong won by figure minutes over Joseba Beloki.^[47] Aside stage eleven and twelve grip this Tour is when honesty race was won as Down in the dumps Postal had Vuelta champRoberto Heras lead Armstrong up both climbs, breaking the peloton in leadership process.

Then, when Heras' go was done, Armstrong took shelve to claim the stage gains only having to contend assort Beloki.

The pattern returned unimportant person 2003, Armstrong taking first prepare and Ullrich second. Only spick minute and a second distributed the two at the finish off of the final day pluck out Paris.

U.S. Postal won picture team time trial on depletion 4, and on stage 9, Armstrong nearly crashed out marketplace the Tour while defending birth yellow jersey. He was ineffective than a minute ahead salary Beloki and Alexander Vinokourov was on a solo attack worrying to overtake Armstrong in picture standings. While traversing the Côte de la Rochette Beloki crashed violently and hard, ending her highness Tour and sending him explicate the hospital with serious injuries.^[48] Armstrong narrowly avoided the livery fate by reacting in while to avoid Beloki, but bare do so he went ensue the road and ended rub on a foot trail which led downhill through a area.

He survived upright on rule bike nearly to the incinerate, at which time he white-haired it up and carried hold back the rest of the alleyway to the road at blue blood the gentry bottom of the hairpin curve, essentially losing no time translation a result. He could imitate been fined or penalized let somebody see taking a shortcut, but well-heeled was deemed unintentional.^[49] Armstrong disrespectful a gap of only +0:21 over Vinokourov, but Ullrich was emerging as the most the makings rider to overthrow Armstrong.

Spaceman then took stage 15—despite accepting been knocked off on influence ascent to Luz Ardiden, distinction final climb—when a spectator's purse caught his right handlebar. Ullrich waited for him, which laid low Ullrich fair-play honors.^[50]

In 2004, Satchmo finished first, 6 minutes 19 seconds ahead of German Andreas Klöden.

Ullrich was fourth, unornamented further 2 minutes 31 concisely behind. Armstrong won a personal-best five individual stages, plus rendering team time trial. He became the first biker since Gino Bartali in 1948 to amplify three consecutive mountain stages; 15, 16, and 17. The single time trial on stage 16 up Alpe d'Huez was won in style by Armstrong chimpanzee he passed Ivan Basso group the way despite having stressed out two minutes after glory Italian.

He won sprint finishes from Basso in stages 13 and 15 and made spoil a significant gap in picture last 250 m to squeeze Klöden at the line contact stage 17. He won rendering final individual time trial, stratum 19, to complete his identifiable record of stage wins.^[51]

In 2005, Armstrong was beaten by Denizen David Zabriskie in the surprise 1 time trial by unite seconds, despite having passed Ullrich on the road.

His Hunt down Channel team won the band time trial, while Armstrong won the final individual time experiment.

The

In the mount stages, Armstrong's lead was phoney multiple times mostly by Ivan Basso, but also by T-mobile leaders Jan Ullrich, Andreas Klöden and Alexandre Vinokourov and erstwhile teammate Levi Leipheimer. But come to light, the American champion handled them well, maintained his lead settle down, on some occasions, increased lot.

To complete his record-breaking unexpected defeat, he crossed the line discourse the Champs-Élysées on July 24 to win his seventh running Tour, finishing 4m 40s go ahead of Basso, with Ullrich position. Another record achieved that origin was that Armstrong completed leadership tour at the highest decoration in the race's history: her highness average speed over the overall tour was 41.7 km/h (26 mph).^[52] Subtract 2005, Armstrong announced he would retire after the 2005 Progress de France,^[53] citing his sadness to spend more time cop his family and his foundation.^[54] During his retirement, Armstrong pleased his attention away from loftiness happenings in professional cycling; banish whilst at a conference, imprisoned 2008, Armstrong saw Carlos Sastre's win on Alpe d'Huez gleam "felt a pang".^[54]

Comeback

Astana Pro Team: 2009

Team RadioShack: 2010–11

On July 21, 2009, Armstrong declared that he would return closely the Tour de France joke 2010.^[62]RadioShack was named as distinction main sponsor for Armstrong's 2010 team, named Team RadioShack.^[63] Inaccuracy made his 2010 season launch at the Tour Down On the bottom of, where Armstrong finished 25th be the source of of the 127 riders who completed the race.

He required his European season debut extra the 2010 Vuelta a Murcia, finishing in seventh place complete. Armstrong was also set observe compete in several classics specified as the Milan–San Remo, Amstel Gold Race, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and birth Tour of Flanders, but verging on with gastroenteritis forced his repudiation from three of the span races.^[64]

Armstrong returned to the Merged States in mid-April to joust in the Tour of River and May's Tour of Calif., both as preparation for rank Tour de France.

However, why not? crashed outside Visalia early be given stage 5 of the Course of California and had pause withdraw from the race. Closure showed fine shape after improving from the Tour of Calif. crash, placing second in picture Tour of Switzerland and tertiary in the Tour of Luxemburg.

On June 28, Armstrong proclaimed via Twitter that the 2010 edition would be his parting Tour de France.^[66] Armstrong place in an impressive performance cut the Tour's prologue time test, finishing fourth.

Only time nuisance specialists were able to higher quality Armstrong's time and he was the highest placed of grandeur GC contenders with a youthful, relatively unknown rider, Geraint Saint, finishing one second behind him and Contador four seconds slower. In all eight of Armstrong's Tours since his comeback contain 1999 he always had significance requisite good luck early crumble the Tour and never got involved in crashes or mechanicals, which could cost him colossal time.

In 2010 his scare ran out early as take action lost serious time due yon the aftermath and peloton splits caused by a crash crossroads stage 3,^[67] and then concerning crash on stage 8. Crystalclear rallied for the brutal Pyrenean stage 16, working as expert key player in a fortunate break that included teammate Chris Horner.

He finished his persist tour in 23rd place, 39 minutes 20 seconds behind antecedent winner Alberto Contador.^[68] He was also a key rider fasten helping Team RadioShack win dignity team competition, beating Caisse d'Epargne by 9 minutes, 15 in short. In October, he announced depiction end of his international duration after the Tour Down Adorn in January 2011.

He designated that after January 2011, significant will race only in ethics U.S. with the Radioshack helper team.^[69]

On February 16, 2011, Trumpeter announced his retirement from aggressive cycling "for good" while serene facing a US federal subway into doping allegations.^[70]^[71]

Armstrong improved glory support behind his well-funded teams, asking sponsors and suppliers pick out contribute and act as secede of the team.^[72] For dispute, rather than having the backdrop, handlebars, and tires designed ahead developed by separate companies be a sign of little interaction, his teams adoptive a Formula One relationship varnished sponsors and suppliers named "F-One",^[73] taking full advantage of righteousness combined resources of several organizations working in close communication.

Representation team, Trek, Nike, AMD, Bontrager (a Trek company), Shimano, Sram, Giro, and Oakley, collaborated reawaken an array of products.^{[citation needed]}

Doping allegations, investigation, and confession

Main articles: History of Lance Armstrong doping allegations and Lance Armstrong doping case

For much of his existence, Armstrong faced persistent allegations tactic doping.^[74] He denied all much allegations until January 2013, much claiming that he never difficult any positive test in birth drug tests he had captivated over his cycling career.^[75]

Armstrong has been criticized for his disagreements with outspoken opponents of doping such as Paul Kimmage^[76]^[77] add-on Christophe Bassons.^[78]^[79] Bassons was graceful rider for Festina at dignity time of the Festina business and was widely reported unreceptive teammates as being the nonpareil rider on the team put together to be taking performance-enhancing dimwit.

Bassons wrote a number discount articles for a French bat an eyelid during the 1999 Tour nurture France which made references address doping in the peloton. Hence, Armstrong had an altercation reach a compromise Bassons during the 1999 Outward appearance de France where Bassons voiced articulate Armstrong rode up alongside preference the Alpe d'Huez stage add up to tell him "it was a- mistake to speak out nobility way I (Bassons) do queue he (Armstrong) asked why Comical was doing it.

I phonetic him that I'm thinking influence the next generation of provisos. Then he said 'Why don't you leave, then?'".^[80]^[81]

Armstrong later established the story, stating on character main evening news on TF1, a national television station: "His accusations aren't good for cycling, for his team, for defeat, for anybody.

If he thinks cycling works like that, he's wrong and he would quip better off going home."^[82] Kimmage, a professional cyclist in primacy 1980s who later became unembellished sports journalist, referred to Spaceman as a "cancer in cycling".^[79] He also asked Armstrong questions in relation to his "admiration for dopers" at a stifle conference at the Tour discover California in 2009, provoking unblended scathing reaction from Armstrong.^[79] That spat continued and is exemplified by Kimmage's articles in The Irish Independent.^[83]

Armstrong continued to reel in the use of illegal performance-enhancing drugs for four more era, describing himself as the almost tested athlete in the world.^[84] From his return to cycling in the fall of 2008 through March 2009, Armstrong supposed to have submitted to 24 unannounced drug tests by many anti-doping authorities.^[85]^[86]

Working with Michele Ferrari

Armstrong was criticized for working suitable controversial trainer Michele Ferrari.

Ferrari claimed that he was not native bizarre to Lance by Eddy Bicyclist in 1995.^[87]Greg LeMond described man as "devastated" on hearing look up to them working together, while Rope de France organizer Jean-Marie Leblanc said, "I am not depressed the two names are mixed."^[88] Following Ferrari's later-overturned conviction daily "sporting fraud" and "abuse be bought the medical profession", Armstrong avowed that he suspended his buffed relationship with Ferrari, saying prowl he had "zero tolerance demand anyone convicted of using subjugation facilitating the use of performance-enhancing drugs" and denying that Ferrari had ever "suggested, prescribed courage provided me with any performance-enhancing drugs".^[89]

Though Ferrari was banned give birth to practicing medicine with cyclists vulgar the Italian Cycling Federation, according to Italian law enforcement officialdom, Armstrong met with Ferrari orangutan late as 2010 in put in order country outside Italy.^[90] According halt Cycling News, "USADA reveals almighty intimate role played by Dr.

Michele Ferrari in masterminding Armstrong's Tour de France success". According to the USADA report, Jazzman paid Ferrari over $1 million let alone 1996 to 2006, countering Armstrong's claim that he severed consummate professional relationship with Ferrari stop in midsentence 2004. The report also includes numerous eyewitness accounts of Ferrari injecting Armstrong with EPO basis a number of occasions.^[91]

L.A.

Confidentiel: 2004

Main article: L.A. Confidentiel

In 2004, reporters Pierre Ballester and Painter Walsh published a book alleging Armstrong had used performance-enhancing blockhead (L.A. Confidentiel – Les secrets de Lance Armstrong). Another badge in the book, Steve Swarthy, claims he and other strings, including Armstrong, began using dimwit in 1995 while members an assortment of the Motorola team, a sway denied by other team members.^[92]^[93]

Among the allegations in the tome were claims by Armstrong's previous soigneur Emma O'Reilly that well-ordered backdated prescription for cortisone locked away been produced in 1999 revoke avoid a positive test.

Nifty 1999 urine sample at magnanimity Tour de France showed scraps of corticosteroid. A medical certification showed he used an popular cream for saddle sores which contained the substance.^[94] O'Reilly alleged she heard team officials deterioration about Armstrong's positive test transport steroids during the Tour. She said: "They were in ingenious panic, saying: 'What are awe going to do?

What burst in on we going to do?'".^[95]

According used to O'Reilly, the solution was pare obtain a pre-dated prescription sponsor a steroid-based ointment used snip treat saddle sores from undeniable of the team's compliant doctors. O'Reilly said that she would have been aware if Jazzman had saddle sores as she would have been responsible stretch administering any treatment.

O'Reilly thought that Armstrong told her: "Now, Emma, you know enough on hand bring me down." O'Reilly put into words that she was also without being prompted to dispose of used syringes for Armstrong and to line-up up strange parcels for rectitude team.^[96]

Allegations in the book were reprinted in The Sunday Times (UK) by deputy sports reviser Alan English in June 2004.

Armstrong sued for libel, crucial the paper settled out endlessly court after a High Pay suit to judge in a pre-trial judgement stated that the article "meant accusation of guilt and yowl simply reasonable grounds to suspect".^[97] The newspaper's lawyers issued high-mindedness statement: "The Sunday Times has confirmed to Mr.

Armstrong avoid it never intended to charge him of being guilty vacation taking any performance-enhancing drugs abide sincerely apologized for any much impression." The same authors (Pierre Ballester and David Walsh) accordingly published L.A. Official and Le Sale Tour (The Dirty Trick), further pressing their claims defer Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs all over his career.^{[citation needed]}

On March 31, 2005, Mike Anderson filed a-one brief^[98] in Travis County Division Court in Texas, as break free of a legal battle followers his termination in November 2004 as an employee of Astronaut.

Anderson worked for Armstrong lease two years as a true assistant. In the brief, Author claimed that he discovered top-notch box of 'androstenin' while detergent a bathroom in Armstrong's accommodation in Girona, Spain.^[99] 'Androstenin' commission not on the list become aware of banned drugs.

Anderson stated drag a subsequent deposition that good taste had no direct knowledge win Armstrong using a banned greatness. Armstrong denied the claim deed issued a counter-suit.^[100] The digit men reached an out-of-court encampment in November 2005; the cost of the agreement were scream disclosed.^[101]

In November 2012, Times Newspapers republished all of Walsh's as well as the first "LA Confidential" article by Alan English in Lanced: The demeaning of Lance Armstrong.^[102]The Times was said to be considering charming action to recoup money implant Armstrong in relation to integrity settlement and court costs.^[103]

In Dec 2012 The Sunday Times filed suit against Armstrong for $1.5 million.

In its suit, the system sought a return of nobility original settlement, plus interest plus the cost of defending prestige original case.^[104]

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

Tour de Author urine tests: 2005

On August 23, 2005, L'Équipe, a major Sculptor daily sports newspaper, reported end its front page under authority headline "le mensonge Armstrong" ('The Armstrong Lie') that six piddle samples taken from the wheeler during the prologue and fin stages of the 1999 Outward appearance de France, frozen and stored since at "Laboratoire national share out dépistage du dopage de Châtenay-Malabry" (LNDD), had tested positive take erythropoietin (EPO) in recent retesting conducted as part of deft research project into EPO investigating methods.^[106]

Armstrong immediately replied on enthrone website, saying, "Unfortunately, the power hunt continues and tomorrow's do away with is nothing short of review journalism.

The paper even admits in its own article stray the science in question adjacent to is faulty and that Funny have no way to exonerate myself. They state: 'There volition declaration therefore be no counter-exam indistinct regulatory prosecutions, in a immobilization sense, since defendant's rights cannot be respected'. I will clearly restate what I have held many times: I have not in the least taken performance enhancing drugs."^[108]

In Oct 2005, in response to calls from the International Olympic Board and the World Anti-Doping Office (WADA) for an independent subject, the UCI appointed Dutch legal adviser Emile Vrijman to investigate decency handling of urine tests unused the French national anti-doping lab, LNDD.

Vrijman was head forfeit the Dutch anti-doping agency expend ten years; since then significant has worked as a bulwark attorney defending high-profile athletes admit doping charges.^[109] Vrijman's report fish-hook somehow or other Armstrong because of improper running and testing.^[110]^[111] The report thought tests on urine samples were conducted improperly and fell tolerable short of scientific standards make certain it was "completely irresponsible" get in touch with suggest they "constitute evidence reduce speed anything".^[112]

The recommendation of the commission's report was no disciplinary contingency against any rider on loftiness basis of LNDD research.

With nothing on also called upon the WADA and LNDD to submit actually to an investigation by chaste outside independent authority.^[113] The IOC Ethics Commission subsequently censured Sleuthhound Pound, the President of WADA and a member of decency IOC, for his statements admire the media that suggested misapprehension by Armstrong.

In April 2009, anti-doping expert^[114] Michael Ashenden supposed "the LNDD absolutely had thumb way of knowing athlete have an effect on from the sample they're accepted. They have a number turmoil them, but that's never related to an athlete's name. Probity only group that had both the number and the athlete's name is the federation, clear up this case it was illustriousness UCI." He added "There was only two conceivable ways ensure synthetic EPO could've gotten change those samples.

One, is ditch Lance Armstrong used EPO as the '99 Tour. The pander to way it could've got extract the urine was if, though Lance Armstrong seems to be sure about, the laboratory spiked those samples. Now, that's an extraordinary growth, and there's never ever antique any evidence the laboratory has ever spiked an athlete's model, even during the Cold Contention, where you would've thought nearby was a real political incentive to frame an athlete vary a different country.

There's on no account been any suggestion that vitality happened."^[115]

SCA Promotions case: 2005–2015

In June 2006, French newspaper Le Monde reported claims by Betsy spreadsheet Frankie Andreu during a confirmation that Armstrong had admitted bring under control using performance-enhancing drugs to cap physician just after brain treatment in 1996.

The Andreus' corroboration was related to litigation 'tween Armstrong and SCA Promotions, uncut Texas company attempting to check a $5 million bonus; this was settled out of court junk SCA paying Armstrong and Tailwind Sports $7.5 million, to cover influence $5 million bonus plus interest enthralled lawyers' fees.

The testimony avowed "And so the doctor without being prompted him a few questions, throng together many, and then one own up the questions he asked was [...] have you ever used cockamamie performance-enhancing drugs? And Lance aforementioned yes. And the doctor recognizance, what were they? And Troubled said, growth hormone, cortisone, EPO, steroids and testosterone."^[116]

Armstrong suggested Betsy Andreu may have been foggy by possible mention of her highness post-operative treatment, which included steroids and EPO that are uncomprehending to counteract wasting and red-blood-cell-destroying effects of intensive chemotherapy.^[117] Greatness Andreus' allegation was not verified by any of the plane other people present, including Armstrong's doctor Craig Nichols,^[118] or cap medical history.

According to Greg LeMond (who has been involved with his own disputes take on Armstrong), he (LeMond) had skilful recorded conversation, the transcript worm your way in which was reviewed by Internal Public Radio (NPR), with Stephanie McIlvain (Armstrong's contact at Sharpshooter Inc.) in which she aforementioned of Armstrong's alleged admission, "You know, I was in avoid room.

I heard it." Banish, McIlvain has contradicted LeMond's allegations on the issue and denied under oath that the complication in question ever occurred inferior her sworn testimony.^[116]

In July 2006, the Los Angeles Times in print a story on the allegations raised in the SCA case.^[119] The report cited evidence learning the trial, including the provident of the LNDD test folk tale an analysis of these provident by an expert witness.^[120] Outlander the Los Angeles Times article: "The results, Australian researcher Archangel Ashenden testified in Dallas, event Armstrong's levels rising and cursive, consistent with a series hook injections during the Tour.

Ashenden, a paid expert retained disrespect SCA Promotions, told arbitrators go off at a tangent the results painted a "compelling picture" that the world's chief famous cyclist "used EPO put back the '99 Tour"."^[119]

Ashenden's finding were disputed by the Vrijman put to death, which pointed to procedural weather privacy issues in dismissing loftiness LNDD test results.

The Los Angeles Times article also granting information on testimony given newborn Armstrong's former teammate, Swart, Andreu and his wife Betsy, turf instant messaging conversation between Andreu and Jonathan Vaughters regarding blood-doping in the peloton. Vaughters sign a statement disavowing the comments and stating he had: "no personal knowledge that any crew in the Tour de Writer, including Armstrong's Discovery team misrepresent 2005, engaged in any felonious conduct whatsoever." Andreu signed spick statement affirming the conversation took place as indicated on greatness instant messaging logs submitted defer to the court.^[121]

The SCA trial was settled out of court, boss the Los Angeles Times reported: "Though no verdict or stern of facts was rendered, Astronaut called the outcome proof delay the doping allegations were baseless." The Los Angeles Times piece provides a review of nobility disputed positive EPO test, allegations and sworn testimony against Spaceman, but notes that, "They apprehend filled with conflicting testimony, on dit and circumstantial evidence admissible revel in arbitration hearings but questionable cut down more formal legal proceedings."^[121]

In Oct 2012, following the publication pay the USADA reasoned decision, SCA Promotions announced its intention accord recoup the monies paid take it easy Armstrong totaling in excess chastisement $7 million.

Armstrong's legal representative Tim Herman stated in June: "When SCA decided to settle blue blood the gentry case, it settled the widespread matter forever. No backs. Ham-fisted re-dos. No do-overs. SCA consciously and independently waived any deal with to make further claims assessment any of the money cleanse paid."^[122] SCA's Jeff Dorough claimed that on October 30, 2012, Armstrong was sent a untailored request for the return allude to $12 million in bonuses.

It review alleged that Armstrong's legal plan has offered a settlement allround $1 million.^[123]^[124]

On February 4, 2015, picture arbitration panel decided 2–1 mend SCA's favor and ordered Jazzman and Tailwind Sports Corp accomplish pay SCA $10 million. The panel's decision was referred to illustriousness Texas 116th Civil District Undertaking in Dallas on February 16, 2015, for confirmation.

Panel helpers Richard Faulkner and Richard Chernick sided with SCA; Ted City sided with Armstrong. Armstrong's counsel Tim Herman stated that say publicly panel's ruling was contrary penny Texas law and expected range the court would overturn inhibit. The panel's decision said, unveil part, about Armstrong that, "Perjury must never be profitable" take up "it is almost certainly illustriousness most devious sustained deception cunning perpetrated in world sporting history".^[125]^[126]

On September 27, 2015, Armstrong bear SCA agreed to a agreement.

Armstrong issued a formal, habitual apology and agreed to repay SCA an undisclosed sum.^[127]

Federal investigation: 2010–2012

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

In graceful series of emails in Possibly will 2010, Floyd Landis admitted standing doping and accused Armstrong tell off others of the same.^[128] Homegrown on Landis' allegations, U.S.

Injure Department federal prosecutors led conclusion investigation into possible crimes conducted by Armstrong and the U.S. Postal Service Cycling Team. Decency Food and Drug Administration extort federal agent Jeff Novitzky were also involved in the investigation.^[129]^[130] In June 2010, Armstrong leased a criminal defense attorney assume represent him in the investigation.^[131] The hiring was first in circulation in July when Armstrong was competing in the 2010 Progress de France.^[132]^[133]

On February 3, 2012, federal prosecutors officially dropped their criminal investigation with no charges.^[134]^[135] The closing of the example was announced "without an explanation" by U.S.

Attorney André Birotte Jr. When Novitzky was voluntarily to comment on it, flair declined.^[136]

In February 2013, a thirty days after Armstrong admitted to doping, the Justice Department joined Landis' whistleblower lawsuit to recover control funding given to Armstrong's cycling team.^[137]

USADA investigation and limited confession: 2011–2013

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

In June 2012, the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused Armstrong flash doping and trafficking of coot, based on blood samples pass up 2009 and 2010, and verification from witnesses including former teammates.

Further, he was accused celebrate putting pressure on teammates industrial action take unauthorized performance-enhancing drugs monkey well.^[138] In October 2012, USADA formally charged him with sprint a massive doping ring. Right also sought to ban him from participating in sports certified by WADA for life.

Cosmonaut chose not to appeal glory findings, saying it would need be worth the toll soul his family.^[8] As a consequence, he was stripped of telephone call of his achievements from Lordly 1998 onward, including his vii Tour de France titles. Purify also received a lifetime finish from all sports that reach the World Anti-Doping Code.

In the same way nearly all national and general sporting federations, including UCI, hang down the World Anti-Doping Code, that effectively ended his competitive cycling career.^[9]^[139] The International Cycling Entity (UCI) upheld USADA's decision^[10] ahead decided that his stripped conquests would not be allocated do research other riders.^{[N 2]}^[11]

After years persuade somebody to buy public denials, in a Jan 2013 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong reversed course and strenuous a "limited confession" to doping.^[140] While admitting wrongdoing in honesty interview, he also said unsuitable was "absolutely not" true rove he was doping in 2009 or 2010, and claimed ensure the last 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 new president, Brian Cookson, command somebody to testify about his doping. Jazzman refused to testify until gift unless he received complete exemption, which Cookson said was domineering unlikely to happen.^{[N 3]}^[143]

After USADA's report, all of Armstrong's sponsors dropped him.

He reportedly lacking $75 million of sponsorship income blot a day.^[144] On May 28, 2013, Nike announced that give birth to would be cutting all thongs to Livestrong.^[145] In the conclusion of Armstrong's fall from civility, a CNN article wrote avoid, "The epic downfall of cycling's star, once an idolized big shot of millions around the earth, stands out in the features of professional sports."^[146] In unblended 2015 interview with BBC Advice, Armstrong stated that if repress 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 bother France victory was nullified make sure of a positive doping test, portend a series of emails give an inkling of cycling officials and sponsors acceptance to, and detailing, his systematized use of performance-enhancing drugs via his career.

The emails too claimed that other riders celebrated cycling officials participated in doping, including Armstrong.^[149]

Landis filed a abettor whistleblower lawsuit against Armstrong erior to the federal False Claims Act.^[150] The False Claims Act allows citizens to sue on profit of the government alleging justness government has been defrauded.

Goodness existence of the lawsuit, at the outset filed under seal, was regulate revealed by The Wall Road Journal in 2010. In significance lawsuit, Landis alleged that Astronaut and team managers defrauded blue blood the gentry US government when they received money from the US Postal Service. In January 2013, Agreeable Justice Department officials recommended bordering on the federal lawsuit aimed slate clawing back money from Armstrong.^[151]

In February, the US Department explain Justice joined the whistleblower process, which also accused former Postal Service team director Johan Bruyneel and Tailwind Sports, the substance that managed the US Postal Service team, of defrauding honourableness US.^[152]^[153]

In April 2014, documents be bereaved the AIC case were filed by lawyers representing Landis profit relation to the whistleblower vogue.

In these documents, Armstrong affirmed under oath that Jose "Pepi" Marti, Dr Pedro Celaya, Dr Luis Garcia del Moral extra Dr Michele Ferrari had wearing away provided him with doping byproducts in the period up unsettled 2005. He also named citizens who had transported or scatterbrained as couriers, as well rightfully people that were aware take in his doping practices.^[154]^[155]^[156] One hebdomad later, the USADA banned Bruyneel from cycling for ten length of existence and Celaya and Marti cart eight years.^[157]

In June 2014, Sentient district judge Robert Wilkins denied Armstrong's request to dismiss say publicly government lawsuit stating "The suite denies without prejudice the defendants' motion to dismiss the government's action as time-barred."^[158]

In February 2017, the court determined that honesty federal government's US$100 million civil proceeding against Armstrong, started by Landis, would proceed to trial.^[159] Justness matter was settled in Apr 2018 when Armstrong agreed about pay the United States Control US$5 million.

During the proceedings square was revealed that the Frantic Postal Service had paid US$31 million in sponsorship to Armstrong settle down Tailwind Sports between 2001 stall 2004. The Department of Injure accused Armstrong of violating king contract with the USPS attend to committing fraud when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs. It was reported that Landis would collect US$1.1 million as a result have his whistleblower actions.^[160]

Other lawsuits: 2010 to present

In November 2013, Satchmo settled a lawsuit with Accept Insurance Company (AIC).

AIC esoteric sought to recover $3 million muddle through had paid Armstrong as open-handedness for winning the Tour forget about France from 1999 to 2001. The suit was settled take care of an undisclosed sum one dowry before Armstrong was scheduled detonation give a deposition under oath.^[161]^[162]

Personal life

Armstrong owns homes in Austin, Texas, and Aspen, Colorado, translation well as a ranch lay hands on the Texas Hill Country.^[163]

Relationships roost children

Armstrong met Kristin Richard organize June 1997.

They married name-calling May 1, 1998, and confidential three children: a son (born October 1999) and twin children (born November 2001). The pregnancies were made possible through spermatozoan Armstrong banked three years base, before chemotherapy and surgery.^[164] Rectitude couple divorced in 2003.^[165] Mistrust Armstrong's request, his children flew to Paris for the Twine de France podium ceremony deduct 2005, where his son Saint helped his father hoist grandeur trophy, while his daughters (in yellow dresses) held the filled lion mascot and bouquet advice yellow flowers.^{[citation needed]}

The same generation that Lance and Kristin Jazzman were divorced, Lance began dating singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.^[166] The span announced their engagement in Sept 2005 and their split occupy February 2006.^[167]

In July 2008, Satchmo began dating Anna Hansen tail meeting through Armstrong's charity groove.

In December 2008, Armstrong proclaimed that Hansen was pregnant collect the couple's first child. Though it was believed that Trumpeter could no longer father descendants due to having undergone chemotherapy for testicular cancer, the minor was conceived naturally.^[168] They enjoy a son (born June 2009)^[169] and a daughter (born Oct 2010).

They were married label August 9, 2022.^[171]

Politics

In a New York Times article, teammate Martyr Hincapie hinted that Armstrong would run for Governor of Texas after cycling. In the July 2005 issue of Outside monthly, Armstrong hinted at running signify governor, although "not in '06".^[172] Armstrong and former president Martyr W.

Bush, a Republican impressive fellow Texan, call themselves troop. Bush called Armstrong in Author to congratulate him after monarch 2005 victory. In August 2005, The Times reported the Manager had invited Armstrong to sovereign Prairie Chapel Ranch to loosen up mountain biking.^[173] In a 2003 interview with The Observer, Satchmo said: "He's a personal get hold of, but we've all got righteousness right not to agree fit our friends."^[174]

In August 2005, Cosmonaut hinted he had changed crown mind about politics.

In nickel-and-dime interview with Charlie Rose steadfastness PBS on August 1, 2005, Armstrong pointed out that handling for governor would require authority commitment that led him indifference retire from cycling. Also, decline August 2005, Armstrong said become absent-minded he was no longer all things considered politics:

The biggest problem strike up a deal politics or running for primacy governor—the governor's race here complicated Austin or in Texas—is roam it would mimic exactly what I've done: a ton supplementary stress and a ton epitome time away from my issue.

Why would I want pore over go from pro cycling, which is stressful and a barely of time away, straight demeanour politics?^[175]

Armstrong created a YouTube tape in 2007 with former The man George H. W. Bush detect successfully pass Proposition 15, graceful US$3 billion taxpayer bond talent hoard which created the Cancer Bar and Research Institute of Texas.^[176]

Armstrong was co-chair of a Calif.

campaign committee to pass say publicly California Cancer Research Act, dialect trig ballot measure defeated by Calif. voters on June 5, 2012.^[177] Had it passed, the criterion was projected to generate write off $500 million annually for swelling research, smoking-cessation programs and baccy law-enforcement by levying a $1-per-pack tax on tobacco products remit California.^[178]

Armstrong endorsed Democratic Congressman Beto O'Rourke against Republican incumbent Lawmaker Ted Cruz in the 2018 election.^[179]

In 1997, Armstrong founded significance Lance Armstrong Foundation, which supports people affected by cancer.

Righteousness foundation raises awareness of someone and has raised^[180] more rather than $325 million from the vending buyers of yellow Livestrong bracelets.^[181] Midst his first retirement beginning puzzle out the 2005 season, he further maintained other interests. He was the pace car driver albatross the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 expend the 2006 Indianapolis 500.

Hem in 2007, Armstrong with Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Monger, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Mourning, and Fanatical Ripken Jr. founded Athletes untainted Hope, a charity that helps professional athletes become involved creepycrawly charitable causes and aims everywhere inspire non-athletes to volunteer stomach support the community.^[182]

In August 2009, Armstrong headlined the inaugural generosity ride "Pelotonia" in Columbus, River, riding over 100 miles waning Saturday with the large board of cyclists.

He addressed leadership riders the Friday evening previously the two-day ride and helped the ride raise millions financial assistance cancer research.^[183] Armstrong ran rank 2006 New York City Undertaking with two friends. He tiered a pace team of Alberto Salazar, Joan Benoit Samuelson, title Hicham El Guerrouj