Well, the battle is over, the last time Aerys reported on the Armstrong situation, it was said that he was going to keep fighting to keep his name clear. Now that doesn’t seem to be the case and the USADA moved in for the kill…

The United States Anti Doping Agency has laid the hammer down. Lance Armstrong has had all seven of his Tour de France wins and has been banned from the sport for life. He must forfeit all wins from 1998 to current.

The decision came from the USADA after Armstrong announced that he was was not going to continue fighting them on the doping charges.

USADA CEO Travis Tygart on the decision to ban Armstrong:

Nobody wins when an athlete decides to cheat with dangerous performance enhancing drugs, but clean athletes at every level expect those of us here on their behalf, to pursue the truth to ensure the win-at-all-cost culture does not permanently overtake fair, honest competition. Any time we have overwhelming proof of doping, our mandate is to initiate the case through the process and see it to conclusion as was done in this case.

His lifetime ban reasoning?

His (Armstrong’s) numerous anti-doping rule violations, including his involvement in trafficking and administering doping products to others.

Armstrong commented that he was tired of trying to fight this fight.Regardless of whether or not he is guilty, the cloud of suspicion will always hang over his head. No matter what you think of him or your views on doping, you can’t deny that Armstrong’s Livestrong campaign has not been a joke. He inspired millions and raised over $5oo million in cancer research.

Nike came out early Friday morning in support of Armstrong and said they have no plans to stop support of him or the Livestrong foundation.