Lance Armstrong has lost his seven Tour de France titles following revelations regarding doping.
A recent report from the United States Anti-Doping Agency revealed the lengths of the 41-year-old's deceit during his run of successes at the Tour between 1999 and 2005.
Having reflected upon that evidence, the International Cycling Union has decided that it had no option but to strip the American of his titles.
"The UCI will not appeal to the Court of Arbitration and recognise the sanctions USDA has imposed [on Lance Armstrong]. UCI will back the life ban and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles," the organisation's president Pat McQuaid told reporters this afternoon. "Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling."
McQuaid went on to insist that he had no intention of resigning over the scandal.
"When I took over [as president] in 2005 I made the fight against doping my priority," he added. "I acknowledged cycling had culture of doping. Cycling has come a long way. I have no intention as resigning as president of the UCI."
Armstrong is yet to comment on the UCI's verdict.
Liam Apicella
