Nike Drops Armstrong

17/10/2012

The world is really crashing about the ears of Lance Armstrong. The doping scandal that has engulfed the disgraced former Tour De France winner is only getting worse.

Armstrong announced today that he was stepping down from the Chairmanship of his Livestrong cancer charity.

Via his statement, "This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart. Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.

As my cancer treatment was drawing to an end, I created a foundation to serve people affected by cancer. It has been a great privilege to help grow it from a dream into an organization that today has served 2.5 million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors,

"My family and I have devoted our lives to the work of the foundation and that will not change. We plan to continue our service to the foundation and the cancer community. We will remain active advocates for cancer survivors and engaged supporters of the fight against cancer," Armstrong said.

Shortly following his announcement that he’d immediately step down from Livestrong, his sponsor, Nike, severed all ties with the alleged doper:

“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," Nike said.

"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.”

This is not a good sign for Armstrong. Nike stayed with Tiger Woods after a sex scandal all but destroyed his public image. In the past, they have shown a willingness to back their stars if at all possible, whatever scandal they are dealing with.

Nike’s withdrawal of support comes as another nail in the coffin for Armstrong.

All of this follows the release of a 1000 page document by the USADA (US Anti-Doping Agency) outlining in detail a vast doping conspiracy.