Photo credit: Srdjan Suki/EPA
World class cyclist Lance Armstrong, who turned out to be the center of a doping program during his winning Toure de France days, has been fired by Nike on Wednesday, per the NY Times. Armstrong will also be stepping down as chairman of Livestrong, his charitable cancer foundation:
In a statement on Wednesday morning, Nike said the evidence that Armstrong had doped was so overwhelming that it could no longer partner with him.
“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,” the statement 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.”
“I have had the great honor of serving as this foundation’s chairman for the last five years and its mission and success are my top priorities,” Armstrong said in a statement. “Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.”
A report released last Wednesday by the United States Anti-Doping Agency signified Armstrong as the main culprit in one of the most elaborate PED operations ever discovered in professional sports. The report included testimony from 26 people, making the evidence in the case against Armstrong too overwhelming to ignore.
They say cheaters never prosper, and in Armstrong’s case the old saying holds much truth.
-ALR
