Paper Suing Lance Armstrong For Libel Case Involving Performance-Enhancing Drug Allegations

A paper is suing Lance Armstrong in the United Kingdom after the cyclist pursued a libel action against it in 2004.

The Sunday Times, the paper suing Lance Armstrong, had to pay close to $500,000 to Armstrong in 2006 after the paper raised questions about his success after recovering from testicular cancer. Armstrong was stripped in October of the seven Tour de France titles he won between 1999 and 2005 after he decided not to contest charges that he used performance-enhancing drugs.

A report from the United States Anti-Doping Agency said that Armstrong, now retired, was involved in the “most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program the sport has ever seen.”

After the ruling, Armstrong saw an exodus from his sponsors, eventually leaving him with none, and the Livestrong Cancer Foundation he founded even cut ties with him this fall.

The paper suing Armstrong claims that the settlement it took in 2006 was incorrect, Reuters reported.

“It is clear that the proceedings were baseless and fraudulent. Your representations that you had never taken performance enhancing drugs were deliberately false,” a letter to Armstrong’s lawyers in the Sunday Times said.

The paper had long questioned Armstrong’s achievements, writing in an article published in 2004 that it was appropriate that he be questioned on his success and whether he used performance-enhancing drugs. The newspaper chose to settle with Armstrong after his lawyers issued a write, AFP noted.

The paper suing Armstrong is demanding the return of the payment it made to the cyclist, plus interest and costs incurred in defending the case.