Drug Case Against Lance Armstrong Dropped

Cycling star Lance Armstrong will not be charged over allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs after federal prosecutors dropped a criminal investigation against him.

US attorney Andre Birotte Jr announced in a press release 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 statement did not give a reason for the decision.

"This is great news," Armstrong's lawyer Mark Fabiani said in a statement.

"Lance is pleased that the United States attorney made the right decision, and he is more determined than ever to devote his time and energy to Livestrong and to the causes that have defined his career."

The announcement brings to an end a nearly two-year effort to find out whether the seven-time Tour de France winner and his teammates had used the drugs to stay at the top of the sport.

While Armstrong had categorically denied he doped during his career, the allegations threatened to cast a shadow over his legacy as the world's greatest cyclist, and his high-profile cancer charity work.

Betsy Andreu, who with her husband and former Armstrong teammate Frank, accused the cycling champion of doping, said she was shocked by Mr Birotte's decision.

"Our legal system failed us," she said. "This is what happens when you have a lot of money and you can buy attorneys who have people in high places in the Department of Justice."

The case had been heard in a Los Angeles court, where Armstrong's former teammates and associates were called to give evidence.

Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999 to 2005.