Michelly Rall/Getty ImagesLance Armstrong is fed up.
The cyclist declared Thursday he would not fight charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs during competitions.
And it appears members of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) weren't amused by his declaration, saying later today they would ban the cyclist from competition for life Friday and strip him of his seven Tour de France titles for the alleged offense, according to ESPN.
In June, the USADA accused the 40-year-old athlete of being part of a doping conspiracy that involved five other members from his cycling team, according to USA Today.
The agency said it had evidence Armstrong used banned substance and methods and that it had blood tests from 2009 and 2010 that proved their claims.
"There comes a point in every man's life when he has to say, "Enough is enough," Armstrong wrote on his website Thursday. "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. Over the past three years, I have been subjected to a two-year federal criminal investigation followed by Travis Tygart's unconstitutional witch hunt. 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."
News of the USADA's charges came after Armstrong faced a two-year federal criminal investigation into whether he committed fraud while on the U.S. Postal Service team.
Last year, Armstrong ended up walking away from competitive cycling altogether without being charged.
Armstrong declined to enter USADA's arbitration process, saying, "There is zero physical evidence to support [Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA]'s outlandish and heinous claims," and that there are "hundreds" of blood and urine tests he has passed "with flying colors" in and out of competition that prove just that.
"The bottom line is I played by the rules that were put in place by the UCI, WADA and USADA when I raced," Armstrong went on. "The idea that athletes can be convicted today without positive A and B samples, under the same rules and procedures that apply to athletes with positive tests, perverts the system and creates a process where any begrudged ex-teammate can open a USADA case out of spite or for personal gain or a cheating cyclist can cut a sweetheart deal for themselves. It's an unfair approach, applied selectively, in opposition to all the rules. It's just not right.
"Today I turn the page. I will no longer address this issue, regardless of the circumstances. I will commit myself to the work I began before ever winning a single Tour de France title: serving people and families affected by cancer, especially those in underserved communities."
Armstrong said his decision to drop his fight against the USADA did not mean he would accept the agency's sanctions.
He previously sued USADA in an attempt to block its case, but a judge threw out that suit Monday.
"It is a sad day for all of us who love sport and athletes," Tygart said in a statement to ESPN. "It's a heartbreaking example of win at all costs overtaking the fair and safe option. There's no success in cheating to win."
Following Armstrong's post, celebrities chimed via Twiiter in to share their thoughts on the matter.
Sophia Bush: "Disgusting. #WitchHunt #Hero RT @outsidemagazine: @lancearmstrong to be banned 4 life, stripped of all titles by USADA...Read @lancearmstrong 's heartbreaking statement. He's passed all these tests, and they're still digging? #WitchHunt"
Dane Cook: "If the US Anti-Doping Agency strips Lance Armstrong of his 7 titles I'll strongly continue to not watch or support the Tour de France ever."
William Shatner: "@lancearmstrong: My official statement re: @usantidoping's pitiful charade http://bit.ly/Ozm7XZ" I am so sorry this is happening to you MBB"
NFL Player James Harrison: "I'm confused on this @lancearmstrong thing! I thought he never failed a blood test, so how are they now trying destroy this man legacy?"
NBA Coach George Karl: "Lance Armstrong tough day! Know you are a CHAMPION.Proud to be a partner with you and will stand proud with you any day of my life."
Michael Muhney: "To all 37,000 of my followers...I believe @lancearmstrong's statement tonight. I'm on his side. I hope you are too. #witchHUNT"
Swimmer Ricky Berens: "As an athlete, this Lance Armstrong thing really makes me mad. How do you punish someone who has never failed the system put in place?