Friday 20 April 2018 06:19, UK
Lance Armstrong has agreed to pay $5m (£3.5m) in order to settle his federal fraud case stemming from his use of performance-enhancing drugs during the Tour de France.
The former cycling superstar was due to face a trial next month over claims that he defrauded the US government when he took drugs while racing for his United States Postal Service-sponsored team.
"Lance Armstrong today announced that he has settled the long-running False Claims Act case brought against him by former cyclist Floyd Landis and the US Postal Service," a statement from Armstrong's lawyer Elliot Peters said.
"This ends all litigation against Armstrong related to his 2013 admission that during his career as a professional cyclist he had used performance enhancing substances."
The Washington Post also reported that Armstrong will also pay $1.65m to cover the legal costs of former team-mate and whistleblower Landis.
The US Postal Service - sponsor of the team Armstrong won six of his seven Tour de France titles with - and Landis were seeking $100m from Armstrong, who has admitted using performance enhancing drugs during his career.
"I am glad to resolve this case and move forward with my life," Armstrong said in a statement.
"I am particularly glad to have made peace with the Postal Service. While I believe that their lawsuit against me was without merit and unfair, I have since 2013 tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes, and make amends wherever possible.
"I rode my heart out for the Postal cycling team, and was always especially proud to wear the red, white and blue eagle on my chest when competing in the Tour de France. Those memories are very real and mean a lot to me."
