polsongrizz
September 16th, 2005, 06:23 AM
Lance Armstrong
Armstrong not facing any action
Lance Armstrong has confirmed he is happy to stay retired and has no plans to go for an eighth straight Tour de France title.
The American cycling hero, who retired after his seventh Tour win in July, hinted at a return earlier this month.
But the 33-year-old said: "I am happy with the way my career went and I am happy with the way it ended.
"There is no way I can go back there. I would be crazy, so why don't we all just say I am not going back."
Armstrong said he spoke too soon when he said a few weeks ago that he was prepared to make a comeback just to spite French organisers of the world's most challenging bike race.
The cyclist believes he is the target of a "witch hunt" by the French media.
French sports daily L'Equipe reported in August that urine samples taken from Armstrong during his first Tour victory in 1999 tested positive for the banned substance EPO.
"I opened it back up because in my heart it seemed like the right answer," he added. "I'm sick of this.
"But now I know I couldn't go to France and get a fair shake on the road, in doping control or the hotels."
Armstrong, who recovered from cancer, has always vehemently denied taking any performance-enhancing drugs.
Armstrong not facing any action
Lance Armstrong has confirmed he is happy to stay retired and has no plans to go for an eighth straight Tour de France title.
The American cycling hero, who retired after his seventh Tour win in July, hinted at a return earlier this month.
But the 33-year-old said: "I am happy with the way my career went and I am happy with the way it ended.
"There is no way I can go back there. I would be crazy, so why don't we all just say I am not going back."
Armstrong said he spoke too soon when he said a few weeks ago that he was prepared to make a comeback just to spite French organisers of the world's most challenging bike race.
The cyclist believes he is the target of a "witch hunt" by the French media.
French sports daily L'Equipe reported in August that urine samples taken from Armstrong during his first Tour victory in 1999 tested positive for the banned substance EPO.
"I opened it back up because in my heart it seemed like the right answer," he added. "I'm sick of this.
"But now I know I couldn't go to France and get a fair shake on the road, in doping control or the hotels."
Armstrong, who recovered from cancer, has always vehemently denied taking any performance-enhancing drugs.