IOC to investigate Lance

The International Olympic Committee will launch an investigation into Lance Armstrong's 2000 Olympics bronze medal after the American was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in the biggest doping scandal to hit the sport.

"The IOC will now immediately start the process concerning the involvement of Lance Armstrong, other riders and particularly their entourages with respect to the Olympic Games and their future involvement with the Games," an IOC official told Reuters on Thursday.

Armstrong, who won a time trail medal at the Sydney Games, was stripped of his 1999-2005 Tour victories last month when the International Cycling Union (UCI) ratified a US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) decision to erase his results from August 1998.

In another setback for disgraced cycling icon, Armstrong, Dallas insurance company SCA Promotions confirmed on Wednesday that it has sent him a letter demanding the return of USD 12 million in bonuses and warned that it might take legal action.

SCA attorney Jeff Dorough said the letter not only seeks back the bonus money but states that it might go to court for legal sanctions and penalties against the disgraced cyclist.