Lance Armstrong stripped of 7 Tour de France titles

AUSTIN, Texas (KABC) -- Cycling's governing body is not standing behind Lance Armstrong. The International Cycling Union on Monday agreed to strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and ban him for life.

UCI said it accepted the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's report on Armstrong and would not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Meantime, Armstrong made his first public appearance Friday since the USADA's report that linked him to an elaborate doping scandal.

Speaking at a fundraiser for his Livestrong foundation in Austin, Texas, Armstrong admitted the last few weeks have been difficult.

Last week, he stepped down from his post as chairman of the non-profit cancer foundation he started in 1997. Armstrong denies the allegations against him and remains on the Livestrong board of directors.

Tour de France organizers now will have their say as the race prepares to celebrate its 100th edition next year. They had said they would remove Armstrong's name from the record books if the UCI took away his titles from 1999 to 2005.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Get more Sports »

sports

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•