( CNN ) -- Lance Armstrong , seven-time winner of the Tour de France , on Thursday announced he would no longer contest charges that he doped his way to victory . The 40-year-old legendary cyclist still maintains he 's innocent . Here are five key questions and answers to help you better understand the complicated development in a longstanding controversy involving one of the most achieving endurance athletes of all time : . 1 . What has Armstrong been accused of and what does he say ? The United States Anti-Doping Agency charged Armstrong with doping and trafficking of performance-enhancing drugs . Several members of Armstrong 's former team also were charged . Armstrong vehemently maintains that he has never doped and that he has never failed a drug test . He accused the USADA of pursuing an `` unconstitutional witch hunt '' against him and he maintained the USADA does not have the right to prosecute him . On Monday , a U.S. Federal Court ruled against the cyclist . The cyclist explained Thursday that he would no longer fight the charges , saying that the ongoing battle had taken a toll on him personally and on his family . Read Armstrong 's statement in full on his site . 2 . What does Armstrong 's decision not to contest USADA 's charges mean ? The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency is the body responsible for monitoring drug testing for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic sports for athletes in and out of active competition . USADA says Armstrong 's decision not to contest the charges means there will be no hearing on the actual charges and as a result he will receive `` a lifetime period of ineligibility and disqualification of all competitive results from August 1 , 1998 , through the present . '' What 's behind the Armstrong headlines ? 3 . What about Armstrong 's record seven Tour de France titles ? Right now it 's unclear what this will mean for the seven wins . USADA says that Armstrong will be `` disqualified from any and all competitive results obtained '' since August 1 , 1998 . USADA says that Armstrong will be stripped of seven Tour titles , all of his other titles and the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Olympics . Travis Tygart , USADA 's CEO , told the New York Times that it also means that Armstrong can not coach or have any `` official role '' with any Olympic sport or other sport that adheres to the World Anti-Doping Code . However , the International Cycling Union , based in Switzerland , the world governing body for cycling , said Friday that it will not act until it hears directly from USADA , suggesting it wants to see more details on the case . It 's unclear if USADA has the power to `` strip '' Armstrong of his Tour de France titles or if that jurisdiction lies with the UCI . Officials with the Tour de France are waiting before they comment on Armstrong 's case , the Washington Post reports . On his site , Armstrong wrote : USADA can not assert control of a professional international sport and attempt to strip my seven Tour de France titles . I know who won those seven Tours , my teammates know who won those seven Tours , and everyone I competed against knows who won those seven Tours . Cyclists say 'good riddance ' to Armstrong . 4 . Where does this leave the sport of cycling ? There have been numerous other allegations of doping against cyclists . The Internet magazine Slate recently examined how many cyclists dope compared with other athletes . Tour de France winners Floyd Landis and Alberto Contador were involved in doping cases and had their Tour titles taken . Landis accused Armstrong of doping , prompting Armstrong to fire back that Landis was a liar and had no credibility . Just last month , a French Tour de France cyclist was suspended while an investigation into doping could take place . In Armstrong 's case , USADA said it had numerous witnesses ready to testify at a hearing that Armstrong had indeed doped . Those witnesses include some of his teammates , such as Tyler Hamilton and George Hincapie , legends in cycling . Hamilton told CBS 's `` 60 Minutes '' in May that he helped Armstrong dope . Hamilton 's credibility has been questioned because he himself doped , and has been stripped of a 2004 Olympic time trial gold medal . 5 . What does this mean for Armstrong 's legacy ? Armstrong is famous for his work on behalf of cancer research under his Livestrong Foundation which he says has raised $ 500 million . The foundation will turn 15 in October . An online petition has popped up to rally for Armstrong . Nike , which has a contract with Armstrong , announced Friday that it will stand behind the athlete . Anheuser-Busch also said it 's supporting the pitchman of its Michelob-Ultra brew . Though many others feel that fans who believe he did dope should n't forgive him . Armstrong 's cancer foundation still strong . Only time will tell whether Armstrong will remembered for all the good he has done or whether , as some believe , he cheated his way to victory . ESPN 's Darren Rovell contemplated how tough it will be for many to decide what they think of Armstrong . Rovell retweeted a picture of one angry fan 's take on Livestrong 's iconic yellow bracelet .
In question is whether USADA can strip Armstrong of his 7 Tour de France titles . Armstrong says they will n't ; global cycling governing body wants more info . Armstrong has said he will not answer USADA charges that he lied . The 40-year - old legendary cyclist still maintains he 's innocent .