Livestrong celebrates 15th anniversary under cloud

By Jim Vertuno

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Oct. 19 2012 1:51 a.m. MDT

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FILE - This Aug. 24, 2009 file photo shows Lance Armstrong during the opening session of the Livestrong Global Cancer Summit in Dublin, Ireland. Armstrong said Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2012, he is stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity so the group can focus on its mission instead of its founder's problems. The move came a week after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released a massive report detailing allegations of widespread doping by Armstrong and his teams when he won the Tour de France seven consecutive times from 1999 to 2005.

Peter Morrison, File, Associated Press

Summary

Lance Armstrong's cancer-fighting charity Livestrong celebrates its 15th anniversary at a time doping charges have made its founder an outcast in sports and the charity is fighting to ward off damage from the scandal.

AUSTIN, Texas — Lance Armstrong's cancer-fighting charity Livestrong celebrates its 15th anniversary at a time doping charges have made its founder an outcast in sports and the charity is fighting to ward off damage from the scandal.

Livestrong holds its anniversary gala Friday night in downtown Austin. The party comes just two days after Armstrong stepped down as chairman to help shield the charity from the fallout of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's massive report detailing performance-enhancing drug use by the seven-time Tour de France winner.

Armstrong denies doping. USADA has ordered him banned from the sport for life and stripped of his tour victories.

Armstrong has been planning to speak to the crowd of about 1,700 Livestrong supporters, cancer survivors and friends. He's expected to mention his decision to step down as chairman, but not the USADA report and evidence.

Armstrong also is scheduled to participate in a bike ride with thousands of cyclists on Sunday morning.

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