Armstrong Steps Down From Charity, Nike Terminates Contract
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Cyclist Lance Armstrong has stepped down as chairman of his cancer-fighting charity on the same day that he became only the second athlete ever to be fired by Nike, according to ESPN.com.
Armstrong made the decision to leave his charity, Livestrong, so the group can refocus attention on its mission rather than having to deal with the issues surrounding the once beloved Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong was once one of the most popular athletes in America after winning the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999-2005. But he has gone from saint to sinner in just a few years thanks to his alleged drug use.
Last week, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released a massive report detailing allegations of widespread drug use by Armstrong during those years. USADA's report showed why he was banned for life and all records for 14 years of his careers expunged.
Armstrong has repeatedly denied doping, but he didn't argue or fight with the findings from the USADA.
Armstrong, according to ESPN, will remain on the board of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, but all of his duties will be turned over to Jeff Garvey.
Nike had long been one of Armstrong's biggest supporters, but terminated its endorsement deal with the former cyclist Wednesday, according to ESPN. The only other athlete Nike has ever terminated its contract with was Michael Vick in 2007 after his plea deal on dogfighting charges, but was later re-signed in 2011.
Armstrong had been with Nike since 1996.
