U.S. Anti-Doping Agency bans Lance Armstrong for life and plans to take away his titles

American cyclist Lance Armstrong has thrown in the towel in his battle with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's CEO, Travis Tygart.

In a statement on his website, Armstrong says he's been dealing for years with claims that he "cheated and had an unfair advantage" on his way to winning seven Tour de France races.

"Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt," he stated. "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."

It was hardly a mea culpa. Armstrong claimed that the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency investigation "has not been about learning the truth or cleaning up cycling, but about punishing me at all costs".

"Today I turn the page," he declared. "I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances."

Then he went on to say that his foundation has been in existence for nearly 15 years and raised nearly $500 million to help fight cancer.

On August 20, a U.S. court tossed out Armstrong's lawsuit against the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

"We are pleased that the federal court in Austin, Texas has dismissed Lance Armstrong’s lawsuit and upheld the established rules which provide Congressionally-mandated due process for all athletes," Tygart said at the time. "The rules in place have protected the rights of athletes for over a decade in every case USADA has adjudicated and we look forward to a timely, public arbitration hearing in this case, should Mr. Armstrong choose, where the evidence can be presented, witness testimony will be given under oath and subject to cross examination, and an independent panel of arbitrators will determine the outcome of the case."

According to a Reuters report, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency will take away Armstrong's titles and ban him for life from competitive cycling.