Armstrong accuser celebrates victory

Andreu, wife of former Armstrong team-mate and fellow doper Frankie, adds that because of her and her husband being among the few people to testify about Armstrong and doping in the sport they are still not welcome among the American cycling fraternity.

She told AFP after speaking in front of WADA members at a meeting in Lausanne, Switzerland.

"He (Armstrong) tried to destroy my entire life and during 10 years he tried to destroy my reputation. But the truth has emerged and it's a victory for me to be here today and to talk to WADA's members," she said.

She has been subjected to years of pressure by Armstrong and his inner circle.

Andreu, who along with her husband testified under oath in 2006 that Armstrong was doping as early as 1996, says being cold shouldered by the cycling community is especially hurtful to her husband, who rode with Armstrong in both the Motorola team in the early 1990s and the the US Postal team from 1998 to 2000.

"We are still personae non gratae in American cycling. Cycling is my husband's passion, he's been riding since he was 10," she said

Andreu, who saw her and her husband's courage in coming forward rewarded in 2012 when Armstrong was given a life ban and stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, says the impact on their three children had been to turn them away from the sport.

"Education is important. They should start testing juniors. What happened to Frankie is a lesson to my kids. He did wrong but he admitted to it. He wanted to be a clean cycler but Lance said 'No'. We have two boys and one girl. The eldest, Frankie Junior, plays hockey, our girl plays soccer and the last one plays baseball, but no one does cycling," she added. 

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

Twitter - @SportswaveAndre @ECRSportswave