PARIS -- FRANCE'S anti-doping agency said on Friday that it will not seek sanctions against cyclist Lance Armstrong over a dispute with a drug tester, ending speculation that he could be barred from the Tour de France.

The AFLD agency said in a statement that it 'decided to take into consideration the athlete's written explanations' and will not open disciplinary procedures.

The anti-doping agency has said the American cyclist did not fully cooperate with a drug tester who showed up at Armstrong's home in France to collect blood, urine and hair samples on March 17.

Armstrong had said he feared the agency would ban him from taking part in this year's Tour, his first after a three-year absence. Armstrong responded to Friday's announcement with relief.

At issue was a 20-minute delay when Armstrong said the tester agreed to let him shower while the American rider's assistants checked the tester's credentials.

A doctor submitted a report to the AFLD saying Armstrong had violated anti-doping rules. Armstrong then sent a letter to the AFLD on April 16 explaining his position, AFLD chief Pierre Bordry said.

He said the decision by the AFLD's leadership was unanimous. He would not give details about the contents of Armstrong's letter.

The AFLD said in its statement that the blood and urine tests were clean, but that it did not test the hair samples.

Armstrong has had tense relations with France's anti-doping authorities for years, but had been hoping to coexist with them while he tries for an eighth Tour title in July.

Armstrong said the disputed test was his 24th out-of-competition test since his comeback began last September. A ban from the Tour, a race he dominated with consecutive wins from 1999-2005, would have been a major blow to Armstrong's cycling plans. -- AP