Armstrong says last few weeks 'difficult'

By Jim Vertuno

Associated Press

Published: Friday, Oct. 19 2012 7:05 p.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 says he's been through a "difficult couple of weeks" and urged supporters of his cancer-fighting charity to stand behind its mission.

AUSTIN, Texas — Lance Armstrong says he's been through a "difficult couple of weeks" and urged supporters of his cancer-fighting charity to stand behind its mission.

Armstrong gave the welcoming remarks Friday night at the 15th anniversary celebration for Livestrong, the charity he founded in 1997.

He stepped down as chairman Wednesday in an effort to ward off damage caused by doping charges against him.

The event drew 1,700 supporters, cancer survivors and Armstrong friends, and they gace him a standing ovation before he spoke.

Armstrong, who denies using performance enhancing drugs during to win the Tour de France seven times, did not address doping evidence presented last week by the U.S. Anti-Dopi Agency.

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