Chicago snub for Armstrong

Marathon director Carey Pinkowski confirmed Friday that the ban meted out to Lance Armstrong by the US Anti-Doping Agency means the cyclist can't run in the race.

Marathon director Carey Pinkowski confirmed Friday that the ban meted out to Lance Armstrong by the US Anti-Doping Agency means the cyclist can't run in the race.

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Pinkowski issued a statement after Armstrong spokesman Mark Fabiani told Runnersworld.com that the cyclist and cancer activist, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life for multiple doping infractions by USADA, had been told he couldn’t enter the October 7 event.

“USADA's lifetime ban prohibits Lance Armstrong from entering races sanctioned by USA Track and Field, which applies to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, as well as all competitions governed by USA Track and Field,” said Pinkowski, while adding Armstrong had not actually submitted an entry.

Pinkowski told the Chicago Tribune that there had been “some indication from his charity” that Armstrong might have been interested in participating.

Armstrong ran the New York Marathon in 2006 and 2007 and the Boston Marathon in 2008.