JUST DONE IT
Nike drop Lance the cheat as he quits own charity
LANCE ARMSTRONG resigned as chairman of his Livestrong cancer charity yesterday as the maelstrom over his drug cheating left him more isolated than ever.
First, his long-time sponsors Nike finally gave in to the damning evidence of the cyclist’s illicit behaviour, published last week by the US Anti-Doping Agency, and withdrew their backing.
Second, the International Olympic Committee are considering stripping him of the bronze medal he won at the 2000 Sydney Games, a course of action that would involve rewriting their rule book to address cases more than eight years old. In what the IOC claimed was a development unconnected to the Armstrong situation, they yesterday announced their own four-year deal with Nike.
Third, former England footballer Geoff Thomas, who was inspired by Armstrong to raise money for cancer charities through cycling, urged the Texan to come clean.
Fourth, sunglasses firm Oakley, another of Armstrong’s enduring commercial partners, said they were reviewing their involvement with the fallen idol.
In a sign of his weakening position, Armstrong handed over the leadership of his charity to vice-chairman Jeff Garvey, saying: ‘This organisation, 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.’ It would have been difficult for the tarnished Armstrong to act as its public face or to carry moral sway. He added: ‘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 organisation that 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 will remain active advocates for cancer survivors and engaged supporters of the fight against cancer.’ The foundation spent £20million on cancer programmes last year. The biggest external blow to Armstrong’s stance of denying all wrongdoing was the split from Nike. They issued a statement seven days ago stating their belief in Armstrong’s honesty. But yesterday the world’s biggest sportswear manufacturer, who ‘vehemently deny’ paying bribes to the head of cycling’s governing body, Hein Verbruggen, said: ‘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 does not condone the use of illegal performanceenhancing drugs in any manner. Nike plans to continue support of theLivestrong initiatives.’ Oakley were more equivocal, saying: ‘Oakley does not approve in any way the use of illegal substances for enhancing performance in sports. ‘Our policy with our athletes is to support them until proven guilty by the highest governing body of sport or court of law. ‘We are reviewing the extensive report from the USADA, as well as our relationship with Lance, and will await final decisionmaking by the International Cycling Union (UCI).’ The IOC are also awaiting the UCI’s next move, which is not expected before October 31, the deadline by which they must respond to USADA’s findings. There is a mood among some at the IOC to find a way to wipe out Armstrong’s time-trial medal — a mere detail among the seven Tour de France titles he has been stripped of — and to call to account officials within the UCI if they are found to have tolerated or indulged doping. There remains the option to expel cycling from the Olympics altogether but soundings from within the IOC suggested that is most unlikely given the sport’s significance to the movement. Pressure on the UCI to prove they have cleaned up their act will be exerted instead. As for Armstrong, he is being called on to break the habit of a lifetime by confessing all. For now, he fiercely maintains his innocence. The come-clean plea came most notably yesterday from Thomas, who won nine England caps in the early Nineties. A chronic myeloid leukaemia sufferer, he was inspired to set up his foundation after reading Armstrong’s autobiography. But, disturbed by USADA’s findings, he appealed directly to Armstrong on Twitter, saying: ‘Please for your sake, come clean. If not yours, for the millions you have inspired over the last 15+ years.’ The sentiment summed up how admirers as well as axe-grinders are uniting against Armstrong.