Lance Armstrong Granted Extension to Explain Charges of Doping, Blood Transfusions

It's turning into quite a week for American athletes and doping charges.

On Tuesday, future Olympic goalkeeper for the U.S. national women's soccer team Hope Solo was publicly warned by U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) after testing positive for the diuretic Canrenone. Solo said she took a medication prescribed by her personal doctor for pre-menstrual purposes, and didn't know it contained the diuretic. She said it was an honest mistake that didn't enhance her athletic performance in any way, but Canrenone is a specified substance which means Solo could receive a reduced sanction.

Now, the USADA has granted Lance Armstrong an extra 30 days to answer to charges that he used drugs and blood transfusions to boost his performance - including during his seven victories at the Tour de France. 

Earlier this week the cyclist re-filed a federal lawsuit against the USADA in an attempt to force the agency to drop the case. Armstrong's complaint claims the USADA doesn't have any jurisdiction in the matter and that the charges against him are outside the statute of limitations. Tim Herman, Armstrong's lawyer, says the 30-day extension "will allow the court sufficient time" to evaluate Armstrong's complaint.

A federal judge initially threw out the complaint, saying the court would not "indulge Armstrong's desire for publicity, self-aggrandizement or vilification" of the USADA. However, after 20 days, the complaint was eligible for re-filing.

Meanwhile, the USADA also issued a lifetime sports ban to three of Armstrong's former staffers on his Tour de France teams for drug violations. His team doctor, consulting doctor, and team trainer all stand accused of participating in a widespread doping conspiracy from 1999-2005, during Armstrong's consecutive Tour wins.

The USADA issued this statement on the charges against Armstrong:

"USADA believes this lawsuit like previous lawsuits aimed at concealing the truth, is without merit and is confident the court will continue to uphold the established rules which are compliant with federal law and were approved by athletes, the U.S. Olympic Committee, and all Olympic sports organizations."