Cycling legend Lance Armstrong did not receive the warmest welcome to South Africa on Monday night when he was refused entry at the Cape Town International Airport.

Armstrong, who is in Cape Town to take part in the Cape Argus/Pick ?n Pay Cycle Tour this weekend, was denied entry because his passport was full.

?Well, made it to Cape Town but can't get in the country since my passport is full and there's no room to stamp it. So...stuck,? Armstrong wrote on social networking site Twitter.

He later let his followers know that he has been allowed in and didn?t seem to hold any grudges with the overzealous immigration officials.

?Well, made it in to SA. Not the friendliest welcome I've ever received but we've all seen immigration officers like that,? he wrote.

Government on Monday responded by saying that it was the airlines? responsibility to ensure their passengers? passports were in order as they departed from their countries of origin.

Home Affairs? Siobhan McCarthy said it was vital airlines took responsibility and checked their passengers? passports.

?The Immigration Act and Immigration Laws apply to everybody, irrespective whether you?re a celebrity or not. What in fact is supposed to happen is that the airline takes the responsibility of checking the traveller?s passport before leaving their country of origin,? she said.