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Images: Lance Armstrong in recent years

Posted August 24, 2012 12:29 am

Associated Press photos

In this July 6, 2010, file photo, Lance Armstrong grimaces prior to the start of the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Wanze, Belgium. Armstrong said on Thursday, Aug. 23, 2012, that he is finished fighting charges from the United States Anti-Doping Agency that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his unprecedented cycling career, a decision that could put his string of seven Tour de France titles in jeopardy. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong said on Thursday he is finished fighting charges from the United States Anti-Doping Agency that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his unprecedented cycling career, a decision that could put his string of seven Tour de France titles in jeopardy and sets off a lifetime ban from cycling and any Olympic sport.

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong puts his sunglasses back on after wiping the sweat of his forehead, as teammate and rival Alberto Contador of Spain, left, follows during the 12th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 211.5 kilometers (131.5 miles) with start in Tonnere and finish in Vittel, eastern France, Thursday July 16, 2009. Associated Press

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong of the US, right, looks at his opponent and 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain, as they ride in the pack during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 213 kilometers (132.4 miles) with start in Wanze, Belgium and finish in Arenberg, France, Tuesday July 6, 2010. Associated Press

A fan with an American flag runs alongside Lance Armstrong of the US during the parade after the 20th and last stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 102.5 kilometers (63.7 miles) with start in Longjumeau and finish in Paris, France, Sunday, July 25, 2010. Associated Press

This July 26, 2006 file photo shows seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong as he heads out in Colfax, Iowa, with a group of riders during RAGBRAI, the Des Moines Registers Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. The largest and oldest of the rides is the seven-day RAGBRAI, which takes 10,000 cyclists about 500 miles around Iowas rolling hills every July. Associated Press

Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong starts his warmup exercises prior the prologue of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial over 8,9 kilometers (5.5 miles) in the port city of Rotterdam, Netherlands, Saturday July 3, 2010. Associated Press

In this photo provided by Alex Fenlon, Dave Wiens, left, leads Lance Armstrong just after the halfway point of the Leadville 100 mountain bike race on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008, in Leadville, Colo. Wiens went on to win the race, with Armstrong second. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong waves as he wins the Leadville Trail 100 mountain bike cycling race in Leadville, Colo., on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009. Associated Press

Stage winner Pierrick Fedrigo of France, left, and Lance Armstrong of the US, in second position speed down Aubisque pass during the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199.5 kilometers (124 miles) with start in Bagneres-de-Luchon and finish in Pau, Pyrenees region, France, Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong looks up as he prepares to leave for a training in Monaco Friday July 3, 2009, ahead of the start of the 96th edition of the Tour de France cycling race Saturday July 4, 2009. Associated Press

In this July 24, 2005 file photo, overall leader Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, pedals past the Arc de Triomphe in Paris on his way to win his seventh straight the Tour de France cycling race, during the 21st and final stage of the race between Corbeil-Essonnes, south of Paris, and the French capital. Armstrong will ride in the 2009 Tour de France, marking the first time he will compete in that race and the Giro dItalia in the same year. Associated Press

A fan with an American flag runs alongside Lance Armstrong of the US and his Radioshack cycling team director Johan Bruyneel of Belgium during the parade after the 20th and last stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 102.5 kilometers (63.7 miles) with start in Longjumeau and finish in Paris, France, Sunday, July 25, 2010. Associated Press

In this July 25, 2004 file photo, overall leader Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, rides down the Champs Elysees avenue past U.S. flags during the 20th and last stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Montereau, southeast of Paris, and the Champs-Elysees in Paris. Armstrong is getting back on his bike, determined to win an eighth Tour de France. The Tour is the intention, Armstrongs spokesman Mark Higgins told The Associated Press, but weve got some homework to do over there. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong of the US, center, strains after he crashed and got distanced during the eighth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 189 kilometers (117.4 miles) with start in Station des Rousses, and finish in Morzine-Avoriaz, France, Sunday, July 11, 2010. Associated Press

Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the overall leaders yellow jersey, right, looks at American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, as they climb Grand-Saint-Bernard pass during the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 159 kilometers (98.8 miles) with start in Martigny, Switzerland and finish in Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Alps region, France, Tuesday July 21, 2009. Associated Press

In this July 27, 1997 file photo Jan Ullrich of Germany holds the trophy on the podium after he won the 84th Tour de France cycling race in Paris. Sports highest court has banned 1997 Tour de France winner Jan Ullrich for two years for doping, and stripped him of his third-place finish behind Lance Armstrong in the 2005 race. The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled Thursday Feb. 9, 2012 that the 38-year-old German, who retired in 2007, was connected to the Operation Puerto probe in Spain. Ullrich is banned from cycling through August 2013. However, CAS rejected the International Cycling Unions request to impose a life ban and disqualify all Ullrichs results since May 2002. CAS said Ullrichs six-month ban for using amphetamines out-of-competition in 2002 should not be classed as a doping offense. A second offense can trigger a life ban. Associated Press

A spectator encourages Lance Armstrong of the US, center, after he crashed and got distanced during the eighth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 189 kilometers (117.4 miles) with start in Station des Rousses, and finish in Morzine-Avoriaz, France, Sunday, July 11, 2010. His crashes in the 2010 Tour sealed the end of his pro cycling career. Associated Press

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong strains as he rides in the pack during 11th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 192 kilometers (119.3 miles) with start in Vatan and finish in Saint-Fargeau, central France, Wednesday July 15, 2009. Associated Press

This April 1, 2012 file photo shows seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong grimacing during a news conference after the Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas triathlon in Galveston, Texas. A federal judge in Austin, Texas, has thrown out Lance Armstrongs lawsuit against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, an attempt to stop the drug case against the seven-time Tour de France winner. Associated Press

This Feb. 19, 2004, file photo shows Lance Armstrong, left, and Floyd Landis, riding side-by-side during the second stage of the 5-day Tour of the Algarve cycling race in Algarve, southern Portugal. Disgraced American cyclist Floyd Landis has admitted to systematic use of performance-enhancing drugs and accused seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong of involvement in doping, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, May 20, 2010. Associated Press

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong pedals during the fifth stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Le Cap dAgde and finish in Perpignan, southern France, Wednesday July 8, 2009. Associated Press

Floyd Landis leads Lance Armstrong up the Col du Glandon at the beginning of Stage 17 of the 2004 Tour de France. Landis was a member of the US Postal Service Team that year, but changed to the Phonak Hearing. Christopher Hankins/chankins@dailyherald.com

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong strains as he passes Monacos Casino during the first stage of the Tour de France cycling race, an individual time trial of 15.5 kilometers (9.63 miles) with start and finish in Moncao, Saturday July 4, 2009. Associated Press

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, left, and teammate and rival Alberto Contador of Spain, right, climb towards Col de Port , France, during the 8th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 176.5 kilometers (109.7 miles) with start in Andorra and finish in Saint-Girons, France, Saturday July 11, 2009. There never was any love lost between the two teammates. Associated Press

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, center, strains during the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 196.5 kilometers (122 miles) with start in Marseille and finish in La Grande-Motte, southern France, Monday July 6, 2009. Left next to Armstrong is Alberto Contador of Spain, who lost 41 seconds on Armstrong as he finished in the second group. Associated Press

In this July 23, 2005 file photo, overall leader Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, crosses the finish line to win the 20th stage of the Tour de France cycling race, a 55.5-kilometer (34.5-mile) individual time trial looping around north of Saint-Etienne, central France. Armstrong is getting back on his bike, determined to win an eighth Tour de France. The Tour is the intention, Armstrongs spokesman Mark Higgins told The Associated Press, but weve got some homework to do over there. Associated Press

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong crosses the finish line during 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 207.5 kilometers (129 miles) with start in Pontarlier, France and finish in Verbier, Switzerland, Sunday July 19, 2009. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong of the U.S. is seen in an ambulance as he arrives at Hospital Clinico in Valladolid, Spain, Monday March 23, 2009. Armstrong fractured his collarbone Monday in a crash during the Vuelta of Castilla and Leon race, disrupting the seven-time Tour de France champions comeback. Armstrong said he would fly to the United States and meet with medical experts to decide whether he needs surgery, leaving in question his participation in the Tour de France in July. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong of the US holds flowers during the podium ceremony for the best team after the 20th and last stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 102.5 kilometers (63.7 miles) with start in Longjumeau and finish in Paris, France, Sunday, July 25, 2010. Associated Press

In this July 22, 2004, file photo, overall leader Lance Armstrong reacts as he crosses the finish line to win the 17th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Bourd-dOisans and Le Grand Bornand, French Alps. Federal prosecutors said, Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, they are closing a criminal investigation of Armstrong and will not charge him over allegations the seven-time Tour de France winner used performance-enhancing drugs. Associated Press

In this July 23, 2008 file photo, Lance Armstrong hosts a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington. Lance Armstrong will end his retirement and hopes to compete in the 2009 Tour de France, according to a cycling journal report. The 36-year-old seven-time Tour de France champion will compete in five road races with the Astana team in 2009, the cycling journal VeloNews reported on its Web site Monday Sept. 8, 2008, citing anonymous sources. Associated Press

Jan Ullrich of Germany, background, evades Iban Mayo of Spain, right, and overall leader Lance Armstrong, of Austin, Texas, as Armstrong and Mayo fall in the final ascent towards Luz-Ardiden, during the 15th stage of the Tour de France cycling race between Bagneres-de-Bigorre and Luz-Ardiden, French Pyrenees, Monday, July 21, 2003. Armstrong famously got back up, charged ahead and won the stage, and Ullrich finished in third place. Associated Press

U.S. cyclist Lance Armstrong, right, talks with an unidentified member of his team after a training session with his cycling team Astana, outside Arona, on the Spanish Canary Island of Tenerife, Monday Dec. 1, 2008. Associated Press

This July 6, 2010, file photo shows Lance Armstrong grimacing prior to the start of the third stage of the Tour de France cycling race in Wanze, Belgium. Armstrongs attorneys say the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is offering cyclists a sweetheart deal if they testify or provide evidence that the seven-time Tour de France winner cheated by doping. Associated Press

American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, second in row, rides with his Astana teammates during the fourth stage of the Tour de France cycling race, a team time-trial over 39 kilometers (24.2 miles) with start and finish in Montpellier, southern France, Tuesday July 7, 2009. Associated Press

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador of Spain, wearing the overall leaders yellow jersey, center, framed by second-placed overall Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, wearing the best young riders white jersey, left, and third-placed overall American seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong, reacts on the podium after the 21st stage of the Tour de France. Associated Press

Lance Armstrong of the US leads the breakaway group as they climb towards Tourmalet pass during the 16th stage of the Tour de France cycling race over 199.5 kilometers (124 miles) with start in Bagneres-de-Luchon and finish in Pau, Pyrenees region, France, Tuesday, July 20, 2010. Associated Press

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