Lance Armstrong has reached a $5 million settlement with the federal government over his use of performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career, The Associated Press reported Thursday.

The government joined a whistleblower case against Armstrong in 2013 after the cyclist admitted to using drugs and was stripped of seven Tour De France titles. The lawsuit claimed Armstrong committed fraud against the government while competing as a member of the U.S. Postal Service team.

ADVERTISEMENT

Armstrong's team was sponsored for years by the U.S. Postal Service, which had a $32 million contract with his team from 2000 to 2004. Armstrong earned millions as part of the team.

“While I believe that their lawsuit against me was meritless and unfair, and while I am spending a lot of money to resolve it, I have since 2013 tried to take full responsibility for my mistakes and inappropriate conduct, and make amends wherever possible,” Armstrong told the AP in a statement.

“I rode my heart out for the Postal cycling team, and was always especially proud to wear the red, white and blue eagle on my chest when competing in the Tour de France. Those memories are very real and mean a lot to me," he added.

Armstrong was paid nearly $13.5 million between 2000 and 2004, and argued that he was not required to pay back the money as the Postal Service made far greater profits as a result of his victories. The U.S. cycling team won every Tour De France, cycling's top event, between 1999 and 2005.

Armstrong, who famously battled testicular cancer that spread to his brain, says he hopes to move on from the lawsuit and focus on his anti-cancer work and his work in podcasting and media.

“I am glad to resolve this case and move forward with my life,” he said. “I’m looking forward to devoting myself to the many great things in my life — my five kids, my wife, my podcast, several exciting writing and film projects, my work as a cancer survivor, and my passion for sports and competition. There is a lot to look forward to.”

Armstrong's teammate, Floyd Landis, filed the original suit in 2010 and is eligible to receive up to 25 percent of the settlement, according to the AP. Landis himself was found to have cheated in the past, and was stripped of his 2006 Tour De France title.