Livestrong Challenge Won't Be In Davis As Charity Struggles With Armstrong Admission
DAVIS (CBS13) — The Livestrong Challenge won't be in Davis next year as the charity struggles with the doping admission of founder Lance Armstrong.
This year's event brought in $389,000, while pales in comparison to more than $1 million in 2011. Davis spokesman Bob Bowen says the biggest hit has been on the national level.
"As an organization they've had to reorganize some things, and certainly the sport of cycling has taken some hits with some performance-enhancing drugs issues," Bowen said.
Once Armstrong admitted to doping with Oprah Winfrey in January, fundraising dwindled for the Livestrong Foundation.
With the doping cloud still hanging overhead, crowds were smaller in June for the Davis event.
Now local shops like B&L Bikes will have to make up for the normally busy weekend.
"We would get more foot traffic than normal for that weekend, plus our clothing store next door always got a little influx of business," said shop owner Beth Annon-Lovering.
Deli owners like Kevin Carilly also believe it highlighted to the country what Davis is all about.
"It brought a lot of spectators, a lot of racers, it was an incredible event," the owner of Zia's Delicatessen said.
But while the Livestrong Challenge is gone, the shops are hopeful another cycling event will take its place.
"There has actually been talk about that," Bowen said. "Some of the local nonprofits talking about ways to benefit the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame and other nonprofits as well."
The Livestrong Foundation is also reevaluations other fundraising events it holds around the country.
