Armstrong steps down from Livestrong

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Lance Armstrong has stepped down as chairman of his cancer charity, Livestrong, and has been dropped by sponsor Nike.

The fallout from the United States Anti-Doping Agency's report into doping continues.
The American was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life by USADA after he chose not to contest charges despite maintaining his innocence.
Last week USADA published their report, including evidence from 11 of his former team-mates, and concluded the US Postal Service team ran "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".
Armstrong made the decision to hand over the chairmanship of Livestrong to vice-chairman Jeff Garvey "to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career".
Nike will continue to support Livestrong but have terminated their contract with Armstrong "due to the seemingly insurmountable evidence that Lance Armstrong participated in doping and misled Nike for more than a decade".
Armstrong set up Livestrong in 1997 following his recovery from cancer and the charity has raised nearly 500million US dollars to help people affected by the disease.
In a statement, Armstrong said: "It has been a great privilege to help grow it from a dream into an organisation that today has served 2.5million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors. This organisation, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart.
"I have had the great honour of serving as this foundation's chairman for the last five years and its mission and success are my top priorities.
"Today, therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.
"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."
Nike had previously stood by Armstrong but on Wednesday announced they could do so no longer.
In a statement, the sportswear giant 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 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."
Lance Armstrong Allegations Timeline
2010
May - Armstrong's former US Postal team-mate Floyd Landis launches allegations against the Texan.
2011
May - Forced to deny claims made by former team-mate Tyler Hamilton that they took performance enhancing drugs together.
2012
February - An investigation into alleged doping by Armstrong is dropped by federal prosecutors in California.
June 13 - The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) confirm they have initiated legal proceedings over allegations of doping against Armstrong.
June 30 - The USADA confirm they will file formal doping charges against Armstrong.
July 9 - Armstrong files a lawsuit in a US federal court asking for a temporary restraining order against the agency. Armstrong also claims the USADA offered "corrupt inducements" to other cyclists to testify against him.
July 11 - Armstrong refiles lawsuit against the USADA after initial lawsuit was dismissed by a judge as being a "lengthy and bitter polemic", designed to attract media attention and public sympathy.
August 20 - Armstrong's legal action dismissed in court.
August 24 - Armstrong announces he will not fight doping charges filed against him but insists he is innocent. He is stripped of all his titles and banned from cycling for life by USADA.
October 10 - The USADA claim 11 of Armstrong's former team-mates have testified against him, revealing "the most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping programme that sport has ever seen".
October 17 - Armstrong resigns as chairman of his cancer charity, Livestrong, on the same day that he is dropped by sponsor Nike.