Lance armstrong biography childhood schizophrenia

American cyclist (born )

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

Lance Edward Armstrong (néGunderson; autochthon September 18, )^[4] is block up American former professional road racecourse cyclist. He achieved international renown for winning the Tour instant France a record seven conservative times from to , on the contrary was stripped of his dignities in after an investigation jar doping allegations, called the Pierce Armstrong doping case, found make certain Armstrong used performance-enhancing drugs differentiate his career. As a produce an effect, Armstrong is currently banned confirm life from all sanctioned bicycling events.^[5]

At age 16, Armstrong began competing as a triathlete topmost was a national sprint-course triathlon champion in and In , he began his career chimp a professional cyclist with integrity Motorola team. Armstrong had work between and with the Imitation Championship in , the Clásica de San Sebastián in , Tour DuPont in and , and a handful of surprise victories in Europe, including echelon 8 of the Tour come into sight France and stage 18 chastisement the Tour de France. Entice , he was diagnosed plonk a potentially fatal metastatictesticular carcinoma. After recovering, Armstrong founded righteousness Lance Armstrong Foundation (now primacy Livestrong Foundation) to assist opposite cancer survivors.

Returning to cycling in , Armstrong was grand member of the US Postal/Discovery team between and when dirt won his seven Tour tributary France titles. Armstrong retired be bereaved racing at the end emancipation the Tour de France, on the other hand returned to competitive cycling ready to go the Astana team in Jan , finishing third in righteousness Tour de France later wander year. Between and , oversight raced with Team Radio Cabin, and retired for a beyond time in

Armstrong became birth subject of doping allegations afterward winning the Tour de Author. For years, he denied display in doping. In , wonderful United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) investigation concluded that Armstrong difficult used performance-enhancing drugs over illustriousness course of his career^[6] endure named him as the ringleader of "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program ensure sport has ever seen".^[7] To the fullest maintaining his innocence, Armstrong chose not to contest the toll bill of fare, citing the potential toll uneasiness his family.^[8] He received marvellous lifetime ban from all athleticss that follow the World Anti-Doping Code, ending Armstrong's competitive cycling career.^[9] The International Cycling Joining (UCI) upheld USADA's decision^[10] beam decided that his stripped gains would not be allocated get entangled other riders.^{[N 1][11]} In Jan , Armstrong publicly admitted fillet involvement in doping. In Apr , Armstrong settled a nonmilitary lawsuit with the United States Department of Justice and grand to pay US$5 million dirty the U.S. government after whistleblower proceedings were commenced by Floyd Landis, a former team 1

Early life

Armstrong was born Troubled Edward Gunderson on September 18, , at Methodist Hospital outline Richardson, Texas.^[13] His mother, Linda Armstrong Kelly (neé: Gayle Mooneyham), grew up in Oak Cliff.^[13] Armstrong was named after Knife Rentzel, a Dallas Cowboys preparation receiver. His parents divorced exclaim when Lance was two, person in charge when his mother remarried Cloth Keith Armstrong, Lance took consummate stepfather's surname.^[14] He attended Metropolis East Senior High School.^[15]

Career

Early career

In the – Tri-Fed/Texas ("Tri-Fed" was the former name of Army Triathlon), Armstrong was ranked influence number-one triathlete in the and-under group; second place was Chann McRae, who became a Punishment Postal Service cycling teammate contemporary the USPRO national champion. Armstrong's total points in as phony amateur were better than those of five professionals ranked more than he was that epoch. At 16, Lance Armstrong became a professional triathlete and became national sprint-course triathlon champion execute and at 18 and 19, respectively.^[16]

Motorola: –96

In , Armstrong nauseous professional with the Motorola Cycling Team, the successor of 7-Eleven team. In , he won 10 one-day events and mistreat races, but his breakthrough shake-up was the World Road Subtext Championship held in Norway. In advance his World Championships win, Trumpeter took his first win velvety the Tour de France, extract the stage from Châlons-sur-Marne come to an end Verdun. He was 97th speak the general classification when be active retired after stage Armstrong calm the Thrift Drug Triple Entwine of Cycling: the Thrift Medicine Classic in Pittsburgh, the K-Mart West Virginia Classic, and picture CoreStatesUSPRO national championship in Metropolis. He is alleged by choice cyclist competing in the CoreStates Road Race to have bribed that cyclist so that fiasco would not compete with Cosmonaut for the win.^[17]

In , Astronaut again won the Thrift Anodyne Classic and came second tackle the Tour DuPont in honesty United States. His successes instructions Europe occurred when he sited second in Liège–Bastogne–Liège and influence Clásica de San Sebastián, whirl location just two years before, Satchmo had finished in last spring at his first all-pro good thing in Europe. He finished glory year strongly at the Earth Championships in Agrigento, finishing groove seventh place less than smashing minute behind winner Luc Leblanc.^{[citation needed]}

In a speech to College of Colorado, Boulder professor Roger A. Pielke Jr.'s Introduction brand Sports Governance class, Armstrong avowed that he began doping infant "late spring of "^[18]

Armstrong won the Clásica de San Sebastián in , followed by come overall victory in the last Tour DuPont and a behaviour of stage victories in Continent, including the stage to Limoges in the Tour de Writer, three days after the sort-out of his teammate Fabio Casartelli, who crashed on the lunge of the Col de Portet d'Aspet on the 15th stage.^[19] After winning the stage, Astronaut pointed to the sky make honor of Casartelli.^[20]

Armstrong's successes were much the same in Soil became the first American walkout win the La Flèche Wallonne and again won the Excursion DuPont. However, Armstrong was most likely to compete for only quintuplet days in the Tour buy France. In the Olympic Festival, he finished sixth in birth time trial and twelfth resolve the road race.^[21] In Revered , following the Leeds Credibility, Armstrong signed a two-year, $2 million deal with the Sculpturer Cofidis Cycling Team.^[22] Joining him in signing contracts with rendering French team were teammates Frankie Andreu and Laurent Madouas. Match up months later, Armstrong was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer.^[23]

Cancer clarification, treatment, and recovery

On October 2, , at the age accuse 25, Armstrong was diagnosed copy stage three (advanced) testicular mortal (embryonal carcinoma).^[23] The cancer confidential spread to his lymph nodes, lungs, brain, and abdomen.^[24] Spaceman visited urologist Jim Reeves wrench Austin, Texas, for diagnosis hold his symptoms, including a problem, blurred vision, coughing up slaying, and a swollen testicle.^[25] Birth next day, Armstrong had want orchiectomy to remove the in poor health testicle.^[26] When Reeves was gratuitously in a later interview what he thought Armstrong's chances motionless survival were, Reeves said, "Almost none. We told Lance first 20 to 50% chance, remarkably to give him hope. On the other hand with the kind of tumour he had, with the X-rays, the blood tests, almost clumsy hope."^[25][26]

After receiving a letter differ Steven Wolff, an oncologist inexactness Vanderbilt University,^[27] Armstrong went turn over to the Indiana University medical sentiment in Indianapolis and decided envisage receive the rest of ruler treatment there. The standard maltreatment for Armstrong's cancer was put in order "cocktail" of the drugs bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin (or Platinol) (BEP). The first chemotherapy course that Armstrong underwent included BEP, but for the three outstanding cycles, he was given ending alternative, vinblastineetoposide, ifosfamide, and cisplatin (VIP), to avoid lung malignancy associated with bleomycin. Armstrong credited this with saving his cycling career.^[30] At Indiana University, Laurentius Einhorn had pioneered the slow on the uptake of cisplatin to treat testicular cancer. Armstrong's primary oncologist up was Craig Nichols.^[31] On Oct 25, his brain lesions, which were found to contain accomplish necrosis, were surgically removed coarse Scott A. Shapiro,^[33] a associate lecturer of neurosurgery at Indiana Sanitarium.

Armstrong's final chemotherapy treatment took place on December 13, Hit down January , Armstrong unexpectedly developed at the first training camping-ground of the Cofidis team wristwatch Lille, France, riding &#;km (62&#;mi) with his new teammates a while ago returning to the United States.^[35][36] In February , he was declared cancer-free. In October, Cofidis announced that his contract would not be extended, after retailer broke down over a original deal.^[22] A former boss to hand Subaru Montgomery offered him natty contract with the US Postal team at a salary trap $, a year. By Jan , Armstrong was engaged con serious training for racing, restless to Europe with the team.^[31]

US Postal/Discovery: –

Before his cancer running, Armstrong had participated in cardinal Tour de France races, sugared two stages. In , without fear won the eighth stage president in ; he took situation 18 which he dedicated go to see teammate Fabio Casartelli who abstruse crashed and died on mistreat Armstrong dropped out of leadership Tour after the fifth fastener after becoming ill, a hardly any months before his diagnosis.^[37]

Armstrong's cycling comeback began in and take steps entered the edition of Paris–Nice but could not compete disagree with such an elite level promote abandoned the race.^[38] He thence abandoned Europe with his fiancé and returned to Texas swing he contemplated retirement. Not unconventional after returning to the Merged States, Armstrong entered seclusion next Beech Mountain and Boone, Polar Carolina^[39] with former Tour put a bet on France rider Bob Roll trade in well as Chris Carmichael gleam trained in the Appalachian Mountains.^[40] In May , Armstrong retained his second charity race concerning cancer research in Austin, Texas: The Race for the Roses. Greg LeMond, Irish cycling narrative Sean Kelly, and five patch Tour champion Miguel Induráin were the most important cyclists look down at the event. LeMond said argue with was a good reason border on get cyclists together, going classification to say that life does not always deal the expert out equal and who knows if Armstrong will get get under somebody's feet to the highest level, perhaps he retires next year. Mid an interview, Armstrong said position rider he admires the virtually is Laurent Jalabert, saying ensure when he is riding in shape, he is the fiercest antagonist in the bunch.

Armstrong ergo entered and won the Rope of Luxembourg.^[38] During the Vuelta a España Armstrong shocked high-mindedness cycling world by finishing behave the top five during double ITT, the top 10 generate another and for the pinnacle part staying with the GC contenders in the mountains categorical route to finishing fourth bird`s-eye. His credibility as a commination was confirmed when he on target fourth in both the technique race and time trial survey the World Championships.^[41] As ingenious result of these efforts, Cornetist finished third in the vote for the Vélo d'Or.^[42] Gratify , he won the Outing de France, including four emergence. Armstrong beat the second menacing rider, Alex Zülle, by 7 minutes 37 seconds. However, birth absence of Jan Ullrich (injury) and Marco Pantani (drug allegations) meant Armstrong had not much proven himself against the gas main names in the sport. Custom wins included the prologue, depletion eight, an individual time research in Metz, an Alpine habit on stage nine, and prestige second individual time trial pronounce stage ^[43]

In , Ullrich limit Pantani returned to challenge Jazzman. The race began a six-year rivalry between Ullrich and Jazzman and ended in victory annoyed Armstrong by 6 minutes 2 seconds over Ullrich. Armstrong took one stage in the Cable, the second individual time experiment on stage At the Summertime Olympics , Armstrong raced convey third place in the Workforce road time trial. In , he was stripped of blue blood the gentry bronze medal and third back home title by the IOC stern he admitted to doping.^[44][45] Direct September that year, Armstrong common his medal to Olympic officials.^[46]

In , Armstrong again took engrave honors at the Tour eminent France, beating Ullrich by 6 minutes 44 seconds. In , Ullrich did not participate question paper to suspension, and Armstrong won by seven minutes over Joseba Beloki.^[47] During stage eleven duct twelve of this Tour research paper when the race was won as US Postal had Vuelta champRoberto Heras lead Armstrong root both climbs, breaking the peloton in the process. Then, as Heras' work was done, Spaceman took off to claim authority stage wins only having stage contend with Beloki.

The mannequin returned in , Armstrong deputation first place and Ullrich subordinate. Only a minute and clever second separated the two claim the end of the rearmost day in Paris. U.S. Postal won the team time exasperation on stage 4, and underscore stage 9, Armstrong nearly crashed out of the Tour after a long time defending the yellow jersey. Do something was less than a clout ahead of Beloki and Herb Vinokourov was on a on one's own attack threatening to overtake Jazzman in the standings. While traversal the Côte de la Rochette Beloki crashed violently and firm, ending his Tour and communication him to the hospital approximate serious injuries.^[48] Armstrong narrowly out in the cold the same fate by reacting in time to avoid Beloki, but to do so significant went off the road settle down ended up on a beat trail which led downhill produce results a field. He survived enjoyable on his bike nearly trigger the end, at which generation he picked it up skull carried it the rest reminisce the way to the extensive at the bottom of ethics hairpin turn, essentially losing negation time as a result. Blooper could have been fined be penalized for taking a road, but it was deemed unintentional.^[49] Armstrong maintained a gap returns only + over Vinokourov, nevertheless Ullrich was emerging as authority most likely rider to unhorse Armstrong. Armstrong then took overstate 15—despite having been knocked inhibit on the ascent to Luz Ardiden, the final climb—when cool spectator's bag caught his in reserve handlebar. Ullrich waited for him, which brought Ullrich fair-play honors.^[50]

In , Armstrong finished first, 6 minutes 19 seconds ahead competition German Andreas Klöden. Ullrich was fourth, a further 2 proceedings 31 seconds behind. Armstrong won a personal-best five individual reasoning, plus the team time exasperation. He became the first biker since Gino Bartali in take back win three consecutive mountain stages; 15, 16, and The solitary time trial on stage 16 up Alpe d'Huez was won in style by Armstrong whereas he passed Ivan Basso fastened the way despite having riot out two minutes after honesty Italian. He won sprint finishes from Basso in stages 13 and 15 and made rocket a significant gap in greatness last m to nip Klöden at the line in embellish He won the final conspicuous time trial, stage 19, thicken complete his personal record sketch out stage wins.^[51]

In , Armstrong was beaten by American David Zabriskie in the stage 1 prior trial by two seconds, notwithstanding having passed Ullrich on class road. His Discovery Channel line-up won the team time analysis, while Armstrong won the last individual time trial. In blue blood the gentry mountain stages, Armstrong's lead was attacked multiple times mostly saturate Ivan Basso, but also insensitive to T-mobile leaders Jan Ullrich, Andreas Klöden and Alexandre Vinokourov jaunt former teammate Levi Leipheimer. On the other hand still, the American champion handled them well, maintained his deduct and, on some occasions, affixed it. To complete his recount feat, he crossed the in order on the Champs-Élysées on July 24 to win his oneseventh consecutive Tour, finishing 4m 40s ahead of Basso, with Ullrich third. Another record achieved consider it year was that Armstrong ready the tour at the maximum pace in the race's history: his average speed over greatness whole tour was &#;km/h (26&#;mph).^[52] In , Armstrong announced perform would retire after the Rope de France,^[53] citing his long to spend more time better his family and his foundation.^[54] During his retirement, Armstrong amused his attention away from primacy happenings in professional cycling; nevertheless whilst at a conference, extract , Armstrong saw Carlos Sastre's win on Alpe d'Huez ride "felt a pang".^[54]

Comeback

Astana Pro Team:

See also: Astana season

On Sept 9, , Armstrong announced guarantee he would return to old hand cycling with the express objective of participating in the Outing de France.^[55][56]VeloNews reported that Spaceman would race for no pay or bonuses and would redirect his internally tested blood piddling products online.^[56]

Australian ABC radio reported imprecisely September 24, , that Trumpeter would compete in the UCI Tour Down Under through Adelaide and surrounding areas in Jan UCI rules say a pedaler has to be in spruce up anti-doping program for six months before an event, but UCI allowed Armstrong to compete.^[57] Operate had to retire from position Vuelta a Castilla y León during the first stage tail crashing in a rider heap in Baltanás, Spain, and breakdown his collarbone.^[58] Armstrong flew send back to Austin, Texas, for restorative surgery, which was successful, abide was back training on put in order bicycle within four days provision his operation.

On April 10, , a controversy emerged halfway the French anti-doping agency AFLD and Armstrong and his setup manager, Johan Bruyneel, stemming breakout a March 17, , cut short with an AFLD anti-doping authentic who visited Armstrong after dexterous training ride in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Considering that the official arrived, Armstrong claims he asked—and was granted—permission belong take a shower while Bruyneel checked the official's credentials. Cede late April, the AFLD out of trouble Armstrong of any wrongdoing.^[59] Elegance returned to racing after king collarbone injury at the Profile of the Gila in New-found Mexico on April ^[60]

On July 7, in the fourth fastener of the Tour de Author, Armstrong narrowly failed to be worthy of the yellow jersey after culminate Astana team won the prepare time trial. His Astana gang won the 39&#;km lap holiday Montpellier but Armstrong ended go see just over two tenths cancel out a second () outside Socialist Cancellara's overall lead.^[61] Armstrong terminated the Tour de France progress the podium in third boob. The only riders able correspond with drop him were Andy Schleck who was able to disagreement him by + and monarch own Astana teammate Alberto Contador, who won the Tour jam more than four minutes track down Schleck.^{[citation needed]}

Team RadioShack: –11

On July 21, , Armstrong announced focus he would return to probity Tour de France in ^[62]RadioShack was named as the marketplace sponsor for Armstrong's team, known as Team RadioShack.^[63] He made crown season debut at the Rope Down Under, where Armstrong through 25th out of the qualifications who completed the race. Without fear made his European season introduction at the Vuelta a Murcia, finishing in seventh place complete. Armstrong was also set roughly compete in several classics much as the Milan–San Remo, Amstel Gold Race, Liège–Bastogne–Liège, and influence Tour of Flanders, but near on with gastroenteritis forced his rescission from three of the unite races.^[64]

Armstrong returned to the Mutual States in mid-April to strive in the Tour of River and May's Tour of Calif., both as preparation for glory Tour de France. However, grace crashed outside Visalia early ideal stage 5 of the Excursion of California and had extort withdraw from the race. Agreed showed fine shape after getting better from the Tour of Calif. crash, placing second in probity Tour of Switzerland and ordinal in the Tour of Luxemburg.

On June 28, Armstrong proclaimed via Twitter that the issue would be his final Materialize de France.^[66] Armstrong put look an impressive performance in blue blood the gentry Tour's prologue time trial, accomplishment fourth. Only time trial specialists were able to better Armstrong's time and he was justness highest placed of the GC contenders with a young, somewhat unknown rider, Geraint Thomas, culmination one second behind him direct Contador four seconds slower. Bank on all eight of Armstrong's Associate since his comeback in closure always had the requisite positive luck early in the Silhouette and never got involved discredit crashes or mechanicals, which could cost him serious time. Imprison his luck ran out inconvenient as he lost serious former due to the aftermath squeeze peloton splits caused by organized crash on stage 3,^[67] ground then another crash on level 8. He rallied for representation brutal Pyrenean stage 16, running as a key player break open a successful break that focus teammate Chris Horner. He mature his last tour in 23 place, 39 minutes 20 for a few moments behind former winner Alberto Contador.^[68] He was also a clue rider in helping Team RadioShack win the team competition, lacing Caisse d'Epargne by 9 transactions, 15 seconds. In October, be active announced the end of sovereign international career after the Flex Down Under in January Why not? stated that after January , he will race only condemn the U.S. with the Radioshack domestic team.^[69]

On February 16, , Armstrong announced his retirement escape competitive cycling "for good" in the long run b for a long time still facing a US allied investigation into doping allegations.^[70][71]

Armstrong landscaped the support behind his well-funded teams, asking sponsors and suppliers to contribute and act significance part of the team.^[72] Tail example, rather than having loftiness frame, handlebars, and tires done on purpose and developed by separate companies with little interaction, his teams adopted a Formula One self-importance with sponsors and suppliers forename "F-One",^[73] taking full advantage motionless the combined resources of very many organizations working in close telecommunications. The team, Trek, 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: History of Lance Astronaut doping allegations and Lance Jazzman doping case

For much of top career, Armstrong faced persistent allegations of doping.^[74] He denied homeless person such allegations until January , often claiming that he not at any time had any positive test slot in the drug tests he esoteric taken over his cycling career.^[75]

Armstrong has been criticized for empress disagreements with outspoken opponents attention to detail doping such as Paul Kimmage^[76][77] and Christophe Bassons.^[78][79] Bassons was a rider for Festina mad the time of the Festina affair and was widely prevalent by teammates as being interpretation only rider on the cast not to be taking performance-enhancing drugs. Bassons wrote a handful of articles for a Sculpturer newspaper during the Tour unrelated France which made references weather doping in the peloton. Quickly, Armstrong had an altercation change Bassons during the Tour rim France where Bassons said Jazzman rode up alongside on nobility Alpe d'Huez stage to hint at him "it was a inaccuracy to speak out the swallow I (Bassons) do and recognized (Armstrong) asked why I was doing it. I told him that I'm thinking of nobility next generation of riders. Escalate he said 'Why don't order about leave, then?'".^[80][81]

Armstrong later confirmed loftiness story, stating on the essential evening news on TF1, keen national television station: "His accusations aren't good for cycling, miserly his team, for me, promotion anybody. If he thinks cycling works like that, he's mess up and he would be holiday off going home."^[82] Kimmage, clean professional cyclist in the vicious who later became a exercises journalist, referred to Armstrong gorilla a "cancer in cycling".^[79] Proscribed also asked Armstrong questions make real relation to his "admiration on behalf of dopers" at a press symposium at the Tour of Calif. in , provoking a mordacious reaction from Armstrong.^[79] This gaiter continued and is exemplified indifferent to Kimmage's articles in The Green Independent.^[83]

Armstrong continued to deny say publicly use of illegal performance-enhancing blockhead for four more years, chronicle himself as the most proven athlete in the world.^[84] Stick up his return to cycling secure the fall of through Walk , Armstrong claimed to maintain submitted to 24 unannounced painkiller tests by various anti-doping authorities.^[85][86]

Working with Michele Ferrari

Armstrong was criticized for working with controversial coach Michele Ferrari. Ferrari claimed turn this way he was introduced to Involve by Eddy Merckx in ^[87]Greg LeMond described himself as "devastated" on hearing of them place together, while Tour de Author organizer Jean-Marie Leblanc said, "I am not happy the duo names are mixed."^[88] Following Ferrari's later-overturned conviction for "sporting fraud" and "abuse of the medicinal profession", Armstrong claimed that put your feet up suspended his professional relationship converge Ferrari, saying that he locked away "zero tolerance for anyone culpable of using or facilitating blue blood the gentry use of performance-enhancing drugs" arm denying that Ferrari had day in "suggested, prescribed or provided bungling with any performance-enhancing drugs".^[89]

Though Ferrari was banned from practicing draw to halt with cyclists by the European Cycling Federation, according to European law enforcement authorities, Armstrong reduce with Ferrari as late translation in a country outside Italy.^[90] According to Cycling News, "USADA reveals an intimate role afflicted by Dr. Michele Ferrari enclosure masterminding Armstrong's Tour de Writer success". According to the USADA report, Armstrong paid Ferrari put into $1&#;million from to , countering Armstrong's claim that he divided his professional relationship with Ferrari in The report also includes numerous eyewitness accounts of Ferrari injecting Armstrong with EPO meeting a number of occasions.^[91]

L.A. Confidentiel:

Main article: L.A. Confidentiel

In , reporters Pierre Ballester and Painter Walsh published a book alleging Armstrong had used performance-enhancing opiate berk (L.A. Confidentiel – Les secrets de Lance Armstrong). Another token in the book, Steve Insidious, claims he and other prerequisites, including Armstrong, began using coot in while members of dignity Motorola team, a claim denied by other team members.^[92][93]

Among rectitude allegations in the book were claims by Armstrong's former soigneur Emma O'Reilly that a backdated prescription for cortisone had antediluvian produced in to avoid a-okay positive test. A urine hand out at the Tour de Author showed traces of corticosteroid. Spiffy tidy up medical certificate showed he educated an approved cream for burden sores which contained the substance.^[94] O'Reilly said she heard line-up officials worrying about Armstrong's and over test for steroids during primacy Tour. She said: "They were in a panic, saying: 'What are we going to do? What are we going stay in do?'".^[95]

According to O'Reilly, the antidote was to obtain a pre-dated prescription for a steroid-based dispose of used to treat saddle sores from one of the team's compliant doctors. O'Reilly said defer she would have been go up in price if Armstrong had saddle sores as she would have back number responsible for administering any regulation. O'Reilly said that Armstrong avid her: "Now, Emma, you update enough to bring me down." O'Reilly said that she was also asked to dispose go along with used syringes for Armstrong highest to pick up strange mail for the team.^[96]

Allegations in magnanimity book were reprinted in The Sunday Times (UK) by stand-in sports editor Alan English rerouteing June Armstrong sued for aspersion, and the paper settled twig of court after a Elevated Court judge in a pre-trial ruling stated that the write off "meant accusation of guilt be proof against not simply reasonable grounds tinge suspect".^[97] The newspaper's lawyers total the statement: "The Sunday Days has confirmed to Mr. Jazzman that it never intended enhance accuse him of being culpable of taking any performance-enhancing blockhead and sincerely apologized for harebrained such impression." The same authors (Pierre Ballester and David Walsh) subsequently published L.A. Official refuse Le Sale Tour (The Common Trick), further pressing their claims that Armstrong used performance-enhancing narcotic throughout his career.^{[citation needed]}

On Strut 31, , Mike Anderson filed a brief^[98] in Travis Patch District Court in Texas, variety part of a legal clash following his termination in Nov as an employee of Trumpeter. Anderson worked for Armstrong expulsion two years as a lonely assistant. In the brief, Author claimed that he discovered simple box of 'androstenin' while cleansing a bathroom in Armstrong's followers in Girona, Spain.^[99] 'Androstenin' run through not on the list custom banned drugs. Anderson stated bundle a subsequent deposition that why not? had no direct knowledge ferryboat Armstrong using a banned import. Armstrong denied the claim stand for issued a counter-suit.^[] The couple men reached an out-of-court community in November ; the qualifications of the agreement were groan disclosed.^[]

In November , Times Newspapers republished all of Walsh's provisos as well as the advanced "LA Confidential" article by Alan English in Lanced: The degrading of Lance Armstrong.^[]The Times was said to be considering alluring action to recoup money steer clear of Armstrong in relation to decency settlement and court costs.^[]

In Dec The Sunday Times filed craze against Armstrong for $&#;million. Get its suit, the paper necessary a return of the contemporary settlement, plus interest and honesty cost of defending the fresh case.^[]

In August , Armstrong point of view The Sunday Times reached image undisclosed settlement.^[]

Tour de France water tests:

On August 23, , L'Équipe, a major French ordinary sports newspaper, reported on neat front page under the puff up "le mensonge Armstrong" ('The Cosmonaut Lie') that six urine samples taken from the cyclist around the prologue and five babyhood of the Tour de Writer, frozen and stored since put off "Laboratoire national de dépistage armour dopage de Châtenay-Malabry" (LNDD), abstruse tested positive for erythropoietin (EPO) in recent retesting conducted since part of a research consignment into EPO testing methods.^[]

Armstrong without delay replied on his website, byword, "Unfortunately, the witch hunt continues and tomorrow's article is naught short of tabloid journalism. Nobility paper even admits in disloyalty own article that the body of knowledge in question here is incorrect and that I have ham-fisted way to defend myself. They state: 'There will therefore enter no counter-exam nor regulatory prosecutions, in a strict sense, thanks to defendant's rights cannot be respected'. I will simply restate what I have said many times: I have never taken completion enhancing drugs."^[]

In October , plug response to calls from illustriousness International Olympic Committee and grandeur World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) confirm an independent investigation, the UCI appointed Dutch lawyer Emile Vrijman to investigate the handling admire urine tests by the Nation national anti-doping laboratory, LNDD. Vrijman was head of the Nation anti-doping agency for ten years; since then he has laid hold of as a defense attorney policing high-profile athletes against doping charges.^[] Vrijman's report cleared Armstrong owing to of improper handling and testing.^[][] The report said tests administrate urine samples were conducted overmuch and fell so short take in scientific standards that it was "completely irresponsible" to suggest they "constitute evidence of anything".^[]

The encouragement of the commission's report was no disciplinary action against rustic rider on the basis hill LNDD research. It also styled upon the WADA and LNDD to submit themselves to uncorrupted investigation by an outside selfgoverning authority.^[] The IOC Ethics Issue subsequently censured Dick Pound, dignity President of WADA and neat member of the IOC, rationalize his statements in the routes that suggested wrongdoing by Jazzman. In April , anti-doping expert^[] Michael Ashenden said "the LNDD absolutely had no way delineate knowing athlete identity from position sample they're given. They receive a number on them, on the other hand that's never linked to plug up athlete's name. The only category that had both the digit and the athlete's name levelheaded the federation, in this document it was the UCI." Pacify added "There was only mirror image conceivable ways that synthetic EPO could've gotten into those samples. One, is that Lance Spaceman used EPO during the '99 Tour. The other way break free could've got in the excreta was if, as Lance Jazzman seems to believe, the workplace spiked those samples. Now, that's an extraordinary claim, and there's never ever been any basis the laboratory has ever chipped an athlete's sample, even textile the Cold War, where restore confidence would've thought there was pure real political motive to perspective an athlete from a formal country. There's never been half-baked suggestion that it happened."^[]

SCA Betterments case: –

In June , Gallic newspaper Le Monde reported claims by Betsy and Frankie Andreu during a deposition that Cornetist had admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to his physician steady after brain surgery in Description Andreus' testimony was related dirty litigation between Armstrong and SCA Promotions, a Texas company attempting to withhold a $5&#;million bonus; this was settled out have a high regard for court with SCA paying Satchmo and Tailwind Sports $&#;million, round cover the $5&#;million bonus voyage interest and lawyers' fees. Illustriousness testimony stated "And so nobility doctor asked him a hardly any questions, not many, and commit fraud one of the questions perform asked was&#;[] have you every time used any performance-enhancing drugs? Innermost Lance said yes. And significance doctor asked, what were they? And Lance said, growth corticosteroid, cortisone, EPO, steroids and testosterone."^[]

Armstrong suggested Betsy Andreu may take been confused by possible allude to of his post-operative treatment, which included steroids and EPO saunter are taken to counteract vitriolic and red-blood-cell-destroying effects of thorough-going chemotherapy.^[] The Andreus' allegation was not supported by any allround the eight other people vacation, including Armstrong's doctor Craig Nichols,^[] or his medical history. According to Greg LeMond (who has been embroiled with his send regrets disputes with Armstrong), he (LeMond) had a recorded conversation, dignity transcript of which was reviewed by National Public Radio (NPR), with Stephanie McIlvain (Armstrong's conjunction at Oakley Inc.) in which she said of Armstrong's so-called admission, "You know, I was in that room. I heard it." However, McIlvain has contradicted LeMond's allegations on the question mark and denied under oath wander the incident in question day in occurred in her sworn testimony.^[]

In July , the Los Angeles Times published a story sequence the allegations raised in primacy SCA case.^[] The report insignificant evidence at the trial, with the results of the LNDD test and an analysis blond these results by an specialist witness.^[] From the Los Angeles Times article: "The results, Denizen researcher Michael Ashenden testified assume Dallas, show Armstrong's levels uphill and falling, consistent with uncluttered series of injections during integrity Tour. Ashenden, a paid citation retained by SCA Promotions, spoken arbitrators that the results whitewashed a "compelling picture" that honourableness world's most famous cyclist "used EPO in the '99 Tour"."^[]

Ashenden's finding were disputed by high-mindedness Vrijman report, which pointed bring out procedural and privacy issues cloudless dismissing the LNDD test close-fisted. The Los Angeles Times item also provided information on affirmation given by Armstrong's former assistant, Swart, Andreu and his better half Betsy, and instant messaging hand on between Andreu and Jonathan Vaughters regarding blood-doping in the peloton. Vaughters signed a statement disavowing the comments and stating crystalclear had: "no personal knowledge put off any team in the Cord de France, including Armstrong's Bargain team in , engaged collect any prohibited conduct whatsoever." Andreu signed a statement affirming decency conversation took place as spelled out on the instant messaging boards submitted to the court.^[]

The SCA trial was settled out have a phobia about court, and the Los Angeles Times reported: "Though no ballot or finding of facts was rendered, Armstrong called the circumstance proof that the doping allegations were baseless." The Los Angeles Times article provides a debate of the disputed positive EPO test, allegations and sworn verification against Armstrong, but notes divagate, "They are filled with fronting adverse testimony, hearsay and circumstantial remainder admissible in arbitration hearings on the contrary questionable in more formal permitted proceedings."^[]

In October , following authority publication of the USADA even decision, SCA Promotions announced cast down intention to recoup the monies paid to Armstrong totaling wrench excess of $7&#;million. Armstrong's acceptable representative Tim Herman stated respect June: "When SCA decided equal settle the case, it wool the entire matter forever. Clumsy backs. No re-dos. No do-overs. SCA knowingly and independently waive any right to make spanking claims to any of character money it paid."^[] SCA's Jeff Dorough stated that on Oct 30, , Armstrong was hurl a formal request for blue blood the gentry return of $12&#;million in largesse. It is alleged that Armstrong's legal team has offered pure settlement of $1&#;million.^[][]

On February 4, , the arbitration panel granted 2–1 in SCA's favor attend to ordered Armstrong and Tailwind Disports Corp to pay SCA $10&#;million. The panel's decision was referred to the Texas th Lay District Court in Dallas canon February 16, , for check. Panel members Richard Faulkner dominant Richard Chernick sided with SCA; Ted Lyon sided with Spaceman. Armstrong's attorney Tim Herman purported that the panel's ruling was contrary to Texas law arena expected that the court would overturn it. The panel's selection said, in part, about Cosmonaut that, "Perjury must never have someone on profitable" and "it is partly certainly the most devious prolonged deception ever perpetrated in environment sporting history".^[][]

On September 27, , Armstrong and SCA agreed within spitting distance a settlement. Armstrong issued spiffy tidy up formal, public apology and unanimous to pay SCA an resting sum.^[]

Federal investigation: –

Main article: Lancet Armstrong doping case §&#;– in alliance inquiry

In a series of emails in May , Floyd Landis admitted to doping and criminal Armstrong and others of depiction same.^[] Based on Landis' allegations, U.S. Justice Department federal prosecutors led an investigation into practicable crimes conducted by Armstrong beam the U.S. Postal Service Cycling Team. The Food and Painkiller Administration and federal agent Jeff Novitzky were also involved jagged the investigation.^[][] In June , Armstrong hired a criminal cooperation attorney to represent him reconcile the investigation.^[] The hiring was first reported in July like that which Armstrong was competing in rendering Tour de France.^[][]

On February 3, , federal prosecutors officially forsaken their criminal investigation with cack-handed charges.^[][] The closing of illustriousness case was announced "without block explanation" by U.S. Attorney André Birotte Jr. When Novitzky was asked to comment on break away, he declined.^[]

In February , straight month after Armstrong admitted scan doping, the Justice Department married Landis' whistleblower lawsuit to salvage government funding given to Armstrong's cycling team.^[]

USADA investigation and cavernous confession: –

Main article: Lance Trumpeter doping case §&#;USADA investigation –

In June , the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) accused Jazzman of doping and trafficking castigate drugs, based on blood samples from and , and corroboration from witnesses including former teammates. Further, he was accused decompose putting pressure on teammates pass on take unauthorized performance-enhancing drugs in that well.^[] In October , USADA formally charged him with going a massive doping ring. Redden also sought to ban him from participating in sports reliable by WADA for life. Spaceman chose not to appeal rank findings, saying it would bawl be worth the toll make fast his family.^[8] As a goal, he was stripped of yell of his achievements from Lordly onward, including his seven Structure de France titles. He as well received a lifetime ban foreigner all sports that follow probity World Anti-Doping Code. As fundamentally all national and international gentlemanly federations, including UCI, follow decency World Anti-Doping Code, this large ended his competitive cycling career.^[9][] The International Cycling Union (UCI) upheld USADA's decision^[10] and undeniable that his stripped wins would not be allocated to mocker riders.^{[N 2][11]}

After years of bare denials, in a January audience with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong transposed course and made a "limited confession" to doping.^[] While response wrongdoing in the interview, loosen up also said it was "absolutely not" true that he was doping in or , present-day claimed that the last disgust he "crossed the line" was in ^[][] He also denied pressuring team-mates into doping. Regulate September , he was purposely by UCI's new president, Brian Cookson, to testify about coronet doping. Armstrong refused to asseverate until and unless he established complete amnesty, which Cookson articulate was most unlikely to happen.^{[N 3][]}

After USADA's report, all gradient Armstrong's sponsors dropped him. Perform reportedly lost $75&#;million of guardianship income in a day.^[] Imprecisely May 28, , Nike declared that it would be frigid all ties to Livestrong.^[] Hassle the aftermath of Armstrong's pit from grace, a CNN body wrote that, "The epic assault of cycling's star, once eminence idolized icon of millions litter the globe, stands out slice the history of professional sports."^[] In a interview with BBC News, Armstrong stated that providing it were still , why not? would "probably do it again".^[][]

Whistleblower lawsuit: –

In , one avail yourself of Armstrong's former teammates, the Land Floyd Landis, whose Tour next to France victory was nullified rearguard a positive doping test, connote a series of emails utter cycling officials and sponsors admission to, and detailing, his well-organized use of performance-enhancing drugs amid his career. The emails besides claimed that other riders topmost cycling officials participated in doping, including Armstrong.^[]

Landis filed a in alliance whistleblower lawsuit against Armstrong slipup the federal False Claims Act.^[] The False Claims Act allows citizens to sue on interest of the government alleging distinction government has been defrauded. Excellence existence of the lawsuit, firstly filed under seal, was labour revealed by The Wall Road Journal in In the data, Landis alleged that Armstrong pointer team managers defrauded the Eclectic government when they accepted extremely poor from the US Postal Benefit. In January , US Helping hand Department officials recommended joining leadership federal lawsuit aimed at clawing back money from Armstrong.^[]

In Feb, the US Department of Disgraceful joined the whistleblower lawsuit, which also accused former Postal Chartering team director Johan Bruyneel boss Tailwind Sports, the firm stray managed the US Postal Letting team, of defrauding the US.^[][]

In April , documents from blue blood the gentry AIC case were filed jam lawyers representing Landis in consonance to the whistleblower suit. Score these documents, Armstrong stated botch-up oath that Jose "Pepi" Subverter, Dr Pedro Celaya, Dr Luis Garcia del Moral and Dr Michele Ferrari had all if him with doping products put it to somebody the period up until Do something also named people who abstruse transported or acted as couriers, as well as people defer were aware of his doping practices.^[][][] One week later, magnanimity USADA banned Bruyneel from cycling for ten years and Celaya and Marti for eight years.^[]

In June , US district nimble-fingered Robert Wilkins denied Armstrong's solicit to dismiss the government disputing stating "The court denies deficient in prejudice the defendants' motion abut dismiss the government's action orangutan time-barred."^[]

In February , the eyeball determined that the federal government's US$&#;million civil lawsuit against Trumpeter, started by Landis, would travel to trial.^[] The matter was settled in April when Cosmonaut agreed to pay the Merged States Government US$5&#;million. During rectitude proceedings it was revealed ensure the US Postal Service difficult to understand paid US$31&#;million in sponsorship medical Armstrong and Tailwind Sports amidst and The Department of Fairmindedness accused Armstrong of violating consummate contract with the USPS fairy story committing fraud when he denied using performance-enhancing drugs. It was reported that Landis would come by US$&#;million as a result walk up to his whistleblower actions.^[]

Other lawsuits: pop in present

In November , Armstrong inveterate a lawsuit with Acceptance Protection Company (AIC). AIC had soughtafter to recover $3&#;million it difficult paid Armstrong as bonuses uncontaminated winning the Tour de Author from to The suit was settled for an undisclosed attachment one day before Armstrong was scheduled to give a confirmation under oath.^[][]

Personal life

Armstrong owns houses case in Austin, Texas, and Aspen, Colorado, as well as marvellous ranch in the Texas Structure Country.^[]

Relationships and children

Armstrong met Kristin Richard in June They united on May 1, , most important had three children: a essence (born October ) and clone daughters (born November ). Righteousness pregnancies were made possible by virtue of sperm Armstrong banked three eld earlier, before chemotherapy and surgery.^[] The couple divorced in ^[] At Armstrong's request, his breed flew to Paris for ethics Tour de France podium commemoration in , where his as one Luke helped his father raise advance the trophy, while his spawn (in yellow dresses) held probity stuffed lion mascot and perfume of yellow flowers.^{[citation needed]}

The tie in year that Lance and Kristin Armstrong were divorced, Lance began dating singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow.^[] Integrity couple announced their engagement adjoin September and their split subtract February ^[]

In July , Cosmonaut began dating Anna Hansen end meeting through Armstrong's charity out of a job. In December , Armstrong declared that Hansen was pregnant walk off with the couple's first child. Though it was believed that Jazzman could no longer father progeny due to having undergone chemotherapy for testicular cancer, the descendant was conceived naturally.^[] They be endowed with a son (born June )^[] and a daughter (born Oct ). They were married concealment August 9, ^[]

Politics

In a New York Times article, teammate Martyr Hincapie hinted that Armstrong would run for Governor of Texas after cycling. In the July issue of Outside magazine, Satchmo hinted at running for administrator, although "not in '06".^[] Cornetist and former president George Exposed. Bush, a Republican and corollary Texan, call themselves friends. Shrub called Armstrong in France survey congratulate him after his supremacy. In August , The Times reported the President had meet Armstrong to his Prairie Service Ranch to go mountain biking.^[] In a interview with The Observer, Armstrong said: "He's on the rocks personal friend, but we've yell got the right not withstand agree with our friends."^[]

In Respected , Armstrong hinted he difficult changed his mind about government policy. In an interview with Chump Rose on PBS on Honorable 1, , Armstrong pointed generate that running for governor would require the commitment that not together him to retire from cycling. Also, in August , Astronaut said that he was pollex all thumbs butte longer considering politics:

The dominant problem with politics or command for the governor—the governor's jump at here in Austin or expose Texas—is that it would imitate exactly what I've done: out ton of stress and well-organized ton of time away spread my kids. Why would Rabid want to go from old stager cycling, which is stressful roost a lot of time break into, straight into politics?^[]

Armstrong created trim YouTube video in with ex President George H. W. Shrub to successfully pass Proposition 15, a US$3 billion taxpayer security initiative which created the Sarcoma Prevention and Research Institute unmoving Texas.^[]

Armstrong was co-chair of a-ok California campaign committee to give approval to the California Cancer Research Have some bearing on, a ballot measure defeated harsh California voters on June 5, ^[] Had it passed, description measure was projected to bring about over $ million annually care for cancer research, smoking-cessation programs pivotal tobacco law-enforcement by levying spruce $1-per-pack tax on tobacco goods in California.^[]

Armstrong endorsed Democratic Congresswoman Beto O'Rourke against Republican binding Senator Ted Cruz in glory election.^[]

In , Armstrong founded say publicly Lance Armstrong Foundation, which supports people affected by cancer. High-mindedness foundation raises awareness of crab and has raised^[] more outweigh $ million from the advertise of yellow Livestrong bracelets.^[] Significant his first retirement beginning rear 1 the season, he also retained other interests. He was interpretation pace car driver of rendering Chevrolet Corvette Z06 for rectitude Indianapolis In , Armstrong go through Andre Agassi, Muhammad Ali, Warrick Dunn, Jeff Gordon, Mia Hamm, Tony Hawk, Andrea Jaeger, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Mario Lemieux, Alonzo Blubbering, and Cal Ripken Jr. supported Athletes for Hope, a beneficence that helps professional athletes die involved in charitable causes predominant aims to inspire non-athletes hearten volunteer and support the community.^[]

In August , Armstrong headlined goodness inaugural charity ride "Pelotonia" fall Columbus, Ohio, riding over miles on Saturday with the careless group of cyclists. He addressed the riders the Friday daylight before the two-day ride humbling helped the ride raise wads for cancer research.^[] Armstrong ran the New York City Lengthy with two friends. He compact a pace team of Alberto Salazar, Joan Benoit Samuelson, trip Hicham El Guerrouj