Lance Armstrong investigation closed

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Federal prosecutors say they are closing a criminal investigation of Lance Armstrong and will not charge him over allegations the seven-time Tour de France winner used performance-enhancing drugs.

In a press release, United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. says the case has been closed but didn't disclose the reason for the decision. In a statement issued by Birotte's office on Friday, he said:

"United States Attorney André Birotte Jr. today announced that 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 United States Attorney determined that a public announcement concerning the closing of the investigation was warranted by numerous reports about the investigation in media outlets around the world.

Mr. Birotte commended the joint investigative efforts of his prosecutors and special agents with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Postal Service - Office of the Inspector General."

Investigators looked at whether a doping program was created to keep Armstrong and his teammates running at the head of the pack while, at least part of the time, they received government sponsorship from the U.S. Postal Service.

Armstrong won the Tour de France every year from 1999-2005 and has always fiercely denied doping.

Prosecutors, however, began presenting evidence nearly two years ago to a federal grand jury in Los Angeles, and several of Armstrong's former teammates and associates provided testimony.

Armstrong is a resident of Austin, Texas.