LANCE ARMSTRONG IS stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity to help it limit the damage from the doping scandal that has snared the former champion cyclist.
Armstrong announced the move this afternoon, a week after the US Anti-Doping Agency released a massive report detailing allegations of widespread performance-enhancing drug use by Armstrong and his teams. The document included testimony from 11 former teammates.
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Also this afternoon, sportswear giants Nike have announced they will no longer be associated with Armstrong.
“Due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade, it is with great sadness that we have terminated our contract with him,” a statement reads.
“Nike does not condone the use of illegal performance enhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives created to unite, inspire and empower people affected by cancer.”
USADA has ordered 14 years of Armstrong’s career results erased, including his seven Tour de France titles.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation, commonly known as Livestrong, was founded in 1997 and has raised roughly $500 million to support cancer patients. The group has scheduled its 15th anniversary celebration for this weekend. Armstrong will stay on the charity’s board.
Armstrong thanked those who have supported the foundation over the years.
“I am deeply grateful to the people of the foundation who have done such hard and excellent work over the last 15 years, building tangible and effective ways to improve the lives of cancer survivors,” he said.
“And I am deeply humbled by the support our foundation has received from so many people throughout the world — survivors, world leaders, business leaders and of course, the cancer community itself.”
A cancer survivor, Armstrong strongly denies doping and says he quit fighting USADA because its hearing process was unfair.
Good job Nike have done the right thing and dropped Lance Armstrong, also stepping down from his roll with Livestrong as anything that he is connected to at the moment is tainted by having his name associated with it and cannot be a good thing. Now he has to be honest and admit to what he has done. Only then the real healing can begin or it will always follow him around and will become a millstone around his neck
Lance Armstrong, in my opinion was playing on a level field. I reckon everyone was at it. That said, his organisation has raised huge amounts for cancer research. Nike shouldn’t be pointing any fingers. Look at their human rights record. Livestock has boost their sales if anything
Personally can’t understand the uproar. All he did was beat other cheats its well known that performance enhancing drugs are rife in that particular sport. I’m by no means saying its right but I think the fact his foundation raised over ?500 million is a little more important than him cheating at cycling.
It’s simple, two wrongs don’t make a right. The money raised is a great thing, but it was all predicated on lies. Lance lives in a nice big house, drives fast cars and lives the high life because he is a liar. The fact that some of his competitors were liars too doesn’t make this ok.
His lies raised 500 million for cancer research. This scoundrel must be brought to justice!! Everyone lies. Look at our Politicians. Look at the church. Look at your neighbour.
..and misled Nike for more than a decade… Danm you Lance Armstrong for not telling Nike their products were being manufactured by child labour in third world countries. You kept it a secret from them for 10 years! Damn you to helllllllllll!
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Good job Nike have done the right thing and dropped Lance Armstrong, also stepping down from his roll with Livestrong as anything that he is connected to at the moment is tainted by having his name associated with it and cannot be a good thing. Now he has to be honest and admit to what he has done. Only then the real healing can begin or it will always follow him around and will become a millstone around his neck
Lance Armstrong, in my opinion was playing on a level field. I reckon everyone was at it. That said, his organisation has raised huge amounts for cancer research. Nike shouldn’t be pointing any fingers. Look at their human rights record. Livestock has boost their sales if anything
As I said he needs to come clean about his drug use or it will be a millstone. Also his charity is Livestrong and not a business selling livestock
typo error there! Livestrong is what O obviously meant but thanks for pointing that out. I got a giggle reading my comment back.
Could nike replace him with Felix Baumgartner for a bit? He’s sound
but he’s as high as…..
that was a pun!!!
Livestrong could probably benefit from a re-branding too.
@Ruairi…how about Liestrong?
cheatstrong
Personally can’t understand the uproar. All he did was beat other cheats its well known that performance enhancing drugs are rife in that particular sport. I’m by no means saying its right but I think the fact his foundation raised over ?500 million is a little more important than him cheating at cycling.
It’s simple, two wrongs don’t make a right. The money raised is a great thing, but it was all predicated on lies. Lance lives in a nice big house, drives fast cars and lives the high life because he is a liar. The fact that some of his competitors were liars too doesn’t make this ok.
He should have stayed on the moon
Or stuck with trumpet playing.
Interesting, just yesterday I read an article about how Nike allegedly bribed the UCI to cover up cortizosteroid use by Lance back in 1999: http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/report-did-nike-pay-dollar-500000-to-verbruggen-to-cover-up-armstrong-positive
His lies raised 500 million for cancer research. This scoundrel must be brought to justice!! Everyone lies. Look at our Politicians. Look at the church. Look at your neighbour.
Yeah, well at least they’re doing something about this one then eh?
..and misled Nike for more than a decade… Danm you Lance Armstrong for not telling Nike their products were being manufactured by child labour in third world countries. You kept it a secret from them for 10 years! Damn you to helllllllllll!