The IOC is set to formally strip American cyclist Tyler Hamilton of his gold from the 2004 Athens Games and reassign the medals after his admission of doping, according to an Olympic official familiar

In the wake of fresh doping allegations against Lance Armstrong, cycling's world governing body and one of his former teammates came to the defence of the seven-time Tour de France champion on Monday.

Tyler Hamilton used to pull Lance Armstrong up mountains, chasing down breakaway threats by other riders and making sure Armstrong was kept out of harm's way.

That was years ago.

Hamilton is finally

Tyler Hamilton, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong, told '60 Minutes' that he used performance-enhancing drugs with the seven-time Tour de France winner to cheat in cycling races, including the tour