Newsflash: U.S. drops investigation into Lance Armstrong

I missed this in the rush of getting the kids home from school and making dinner and such, but the Associated Press reported late this afternoon that the Lance Armstrong doping investigation has been closed.

The statement came via United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. who had this to say about the case:

“United States Attorney Andre Birotte Jr. today announced that his office is closing an investigation into allegations of federal criminal conduct by members and associates of a professional bicycle racing team owned in part by Lance Armstrong.

The United States Attorney determined that a public announcement concerning the closing of the investigation was warranted by numerous reports about the investigation in media outlets around the world.”

Mr. Birotte went on to commend the joint investigative efforts of his prosecutors and special agents with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Service – Office of the Inspector General.

Indeed, many in cycling had been curious about the noted silence around the case lately, and I seem to recall that some type of limit for government to act on their investigation was looming. I’m sure that more about this will come out over the next several days.

The AP has already been in contact with Armstrong’s legal team, who expressed pleasure with the decision:

“This is great news. Lance is pleased that the United States Attorney made the right decision, and he is more determined that ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career,” Armstrong’s attorney, Mark Fabiani, said in a brief written statement.

The United States Anti-Doping Agency seems to just be getting started with their investigation. In a statement to the AP, USADA President Travis Tygart said that they would continue to probe:

“Unlike the U.S. Attorney, USADA’s job is to protect clean sport rather than enforce specific criminal laws,” Tygart said in a written statement from USADA offices in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

“Our investigation into doping in the sport of cycling is continuing and we look forward to obtaining the information developed during the federal investigation,” he said.

Lance Armstrong released a statement to the press later on Friday.

“I am gratified to learn that the U.S. Attorney’s Office is closing its investigation. It is the right decision and I commend them for reaching it. I look forward to continuing my life as a father, a competitor, and an advocate in the fight against cancer without this distraction.”

Should we find it just a leeetle curious that the announcement comes one day in advance of World Cancer Day? Hmmmm?

Armstrong denies ever having taken performance enhancing drugs, though suspicion has dogged him throughout his career. Donations to Armstrong’s Livestrong cancer fund have fallen in recent years as some of his former teammates have brought forth allegations. Whether the charity will be able to recover to its earlier strength remains to be seen as many have already made up their mind about Armstrong’s guilt on innocence.