Armstrong retirement rumours stronger

The speculation surrounding Lance Armstrong's possible "early" retirement received some more fuel on Thursday when he spoke in New York's Central Park to support the city's bid for the 2012 Olympics. Asked about whether he would retire after this year's Tour de France, the six-time Tour champ was quoted by AP as saying, "It's a possibility. I'm still thinking about that."

Armstrong made similar comments to La Gazzetta dello Sport recently, where he said that he missed his family. He has promised to make a big announcement (the subject of which is unspecified) on April 18 before the Tour de Georgia.

Armstrong's endorsement of the New York bid came just a month after he showed his support for the Paris 2012 bid. "I think Paris deserves the Olympics," he said at the time, but added that his heart lay with New York because of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"A few weeks ago, I tried to be extremely diplomatic in a country I have not always been diplomatic in," Armstrong said before reinforcing his stance on New York. "I want to be clear: I think all the other cities are deserving. But none of them deserve it like New York City."