US prosecutors said on Friday that they had dropped their investigation into seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong and other cyclists without bringing criminal charges.


Lance Armstrong

A statement by US attorney Andre Birotte jnr said Birotte's 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 probe has reportedly included a grand jury sitting in Los Angeles hearing testimony from former Armstrong teammates and associates.

Gratified
Armstrong welcomed the news. "I am gratified to learn that the US Attorney's Office is closing its investigation," he said in a statement. "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."