WADA chief wanted Armstrong to face tribunal

24 Aug 2012, 6:57 pm   -   Source: AAP

The World Anti-Doping Authority president John Fahey says Lance Armstrong ending his fight against charges is an admission doping claims have substance.

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Lance Armstrong's decision to end his fight against drug charges is an admission the claims "had substance in them", World Anti-Doping Agency president John Fahey says.

Fahey says the United States Anti-Doping Agency acted properly in saying it would strip Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles.

The move comes after Armstrong declined to enter the agency's arbitration process, with the Texan set to be banned for life.

Armstrong also could lose cash earnings and awards and his 2000 Sydney Olympic time trial bronze medal.

"He had a right to contest the charges. He chose not to," Fahey told the Associated Press.

"The simple fact is that his refusal to examine the evidence means the charges had substance in them.

"Under the rules, penalties can now be imposed."

Under WADA's code, Armstrong would also lose any cash earning, awards and titles.

"I am confident and WADA is confident that the USADA acted within the WADA code, and that a court in Texas also decided not to interfere," Fahey said.

"They now have the right to apply a penalty that will be recognised by all WADA code countries around the world."

Asked if USADA had the authority to strip Armstrong of his Tour de France titles, Fahey replied: "Olympic medals and titles are for other agencies to decide, not WADA."

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said Armstrong would be hit with a lifetime ban on Friday and planned to strip him of the seven Tour de France titles he won from 1999-2005.

The 40-year-old said on Thursday he was innocent of drugs charges, but had decided against fighting the USADA because he was weary of the legal dispute.

Describing the USADA investigation as an "unconstitutional witch hunt," Armstrong said "there comes a point in every man's life when he has to say 'enough is enough'.

"For me, that time is now.

"I have been dealing with claims that I cheated and had an unfair advantage in winning my seven Tours since 1999.

"The toll this has taken on my family and my work for our foundation and on me leads me to where I am today - finished with this nonsense."

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