So, things have started spiraling for Lance Armstrong.
The US Anti-Doping Agency has compiled a massive report, complete with interviews from his own teammates, alleging that Lance Armstrong was not only a blood doper, but also was masterminding a sophisticated ring of cheating amongst his team.
One major entity that’s believing the report? His Nike sponsor. Today they have ended their endorsement contract with Armstrong, citing the “seemingly insurmountable evidence” that Armstrong was cheating in his Tour-de-France victories. The company will also take Armstrong’s name off of the fitness center on Nike’s campus in Oregon.
The USADA has banned Armstrong from cycling for life, as well as stripping him of any titles he’s won in his 14-year career.
That’s not all, however.
Armstrong has also stepped down as chair from the cancer charity he founded in 1997, Livestrong.
We’ve all had those bracelets. We’ve all worn those bracelets at one time or another. While Armstrong is stepping down as chair, he’s not leaving the board of directors. Founding chairman Jeff Garvey will take over for Armstrong.
They claim it was Lance’s idea to step away, stating that he didn’t want his cycling career to hurt the standing of the charity, but Nike has stated they are continuing to support Livestrong the day they dropped Armstrong and the day he stepped down as chair.
One has to ask if those two events are related.
Question: What athletes in the modern day do you still respect?
