Lance Armstrong is stepping down as chairman of Livestrong.(Photo: JAIME REINA AFP/Getty Images)
AUSTIN, Texas -- Lance Armstrong is stepping down as chairman of
his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity to help it limit the damage from
the doping scandal that has snared the former champion cyclist.
Armstrong
announced the move Wednesday, a week after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency
released a massive report detailing allegations of widespread
performance-enhancing drug use by Armstrong and his teams.
MORE: USADA: Armstrong could have kept 5 Tour de France titles
The
document included testimony from 11 former teammates. USADA has ordered
14 years of Armstrong's career results erased, including his seven Tour
de France titles.
The Lance Armstrong Foundation, commonly known
as Livestrong, was founded in 1997 and has raised roughly $500 million
to support cancer patients. The group has scheduled its 15th anniversary
celebration for this weekend. Armstrong will stay on the charity's
board.
MORE: Lance Armstrong stripped of cycling titles, banned for life
A cancer survivor, Armstrong strongly denies doping and says he quit fighting USADA because its hearing process was unfair.
Associated Press