On Wednesday, Lance Armstrong stepped down as Chairman of Livestrong. The announcement comes a week after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it had uncovered overwhelming evidence of Armstrong’s involvement in a sophisticated doping program.
The extensive report accused Armstrong of running “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.” It also included testimony from many teammates and people Armstrong may have considered friends. These people described years of performance drug use that Armstrong also took part in.
Livestrong is synonymous with the work its done with cancer patients, as well as the yellow bracelets that are part of the organization’s brand. Armstrong didn’t want the scandal to overshadow the good work the organization does. “To spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship,” Armstrong said in a statement on Wednesday. He will continue to serve on the board.
Not only did he step down as chairman, Wednesday proved to be a day of companies pulling the sponsorship plug on Armstrong. In a statement posted by Nike , on its website, it said they would back the charity, but no longer sponsor him. “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,” the company said.
Other companies have followed suit as well. Beer maker Anheuser-Busch, Trek Bicycles, the energy drink maker FRS have all ended sponsorships. Oakley Inc, the sunglasses brand also associated with Armstrong, said it was reviewing the reports into the cyclist’s conduct and would wait for a final decision from the sport’s international authorities. So far Radio Shack is the one sponsor standing by Armstrong.
Do you have sympathy for Lance Armstrong? or do you think he is getting what he deserves?
what a fraud! He has made so much money for himself. please miss with him
Lance Armstrong has never admitted an guilt in this matter. He decided to stop fighting the doping charges& that’s why he’s being dropped from sponsors,etc. He said he didn’t want to continue participating in the witch hunt. It doesn’t make me want to stop donating to any cancer initiatives. It’s not like he pulled a Wyclef with Livestrong.
@VDUB: dang, people still making excuses for this man.