In another move to distance himself from his Livestrong foundation, Lance Armstrong has resigned from the organization’s board of directors. Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane tells the Daily News that Armstrong will remain close to the cancer foundation as the “founder and inspiration and our biggest donor.”
Armstrong’s resignation comes just weeks after the International Cycling Union accepted the USADA’s findings on the cyclists’ illegal doping habits. The agency found that Armstrong used illegal substances like EPO and steroids to enhance his performance. He also forced other riders to use drugs by threatening to fire them. Armstrong stepped down as chairman of Livestrong days after the USADA’s report was released. He is banned from cycling for life and has been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.
“Lance Armstrong has chosen to voluntarily resign from the Board of Directors of the Livestrong Foundation to spare the organization any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding his cycling career. We are deeply grateful to Lance for creating a cause that has served millions of cancer survivors and their families,” new chairman Jeff Garvey says in a statement.
“Lance Armstrong was instrumental in changing the way the world views people affected by cancer,” Garvey adds. “His devotion to serving survivors is unparalleled and for 15 years, he committed himself to that cause with all his heart on behalf of the Livestrong Foundation. Under Lance’s leadership, the Foundation raised close to $500 million to serve survivors. Because of Lance, there is today more focus on the individuals whom this disease strikes, and on healing the person, not just killing the disease.”
Armstrong founded Livestrong in 1997 after battling testicular cancer.
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