Cycling:American Lance Armstrong has been cleared of any wrongdoing after a random test was conducted in controversial circumstances last month, the French Anti-Doping Agency (AFLD) has confirmed.
The AFLD had said earlier this month Armstrong could face disciplinary action because he "did not respect the obligation to stay under (the) direct and permanent observation" of a drugs tester who came to his southern France residence in March.
However statement released today read: "The AFLD has decided to take into account the athlete's written explanations and, consequently, not to open a disciplinary action against him.”
Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong also said he had been cleared, writing on his Twitter feed: "Just got the word from the French agency AFLD on the shower-gate incident. Case closed, no penalty, all samples clean. Onward."
Armstrong said he went to shower while Astana team manager Johan Bruyneel was checking the tester's credentials with the International Cycling Union (UCI).
The Texan, who made his latest comeback this season and who recovered from testicular cancer in the mid-90s, was asked to provide urine, blood and hair samples when returning from training around Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
"The analysis of the urine and blood samples from Mr Lance Armstrong did not reveal any abnormality. His hair sample has not been tested," the AFLD said.
Armstrong broke his collarbone during the Tour of Castilla y Leon last month but expects to be fit for the Giro d'Italia, which starts on May 9th.
He said earlier this month he feared the AFLD would bar him from competing in the Tour de France.
Armstrong has had a difficult relationship with Tour organisers, the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO), who said last year the 37-year-old's return to the race would be "embarrassing".
In 2005, the French sports daily L'Equipe, owned by ASO's parent company EPA (Editions Philippe Amaury), claimed samples of Armstrong's urine from the 1999 race showed traces of the banned blood-boosting substance erythropoietin.
However, Armstrong, who has never tested positive, was cleared by a Dutch investigator appointed by the UCI.
AFLD president Pierre Bordry last year invited Armstrong to have his 1999 samples re-tested but the rider declined, arguing they could have been compromised.