Nike Ends Livestrong Foundation Association
Nike has announced in a statement that it is ending its partnership with the Livestrong Foundation, the cancer charity founded by disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong. The sportswear giant will stop production on Livestrong products after the 2013 line, however, the US brand will continue to fund the charity directly in ‘their work to serve and improve outcomes for people facing cancer’.
The foundation admitted it expected the move following the cyclist’s confession on using performance-enhancing drugs – which had seen him claim seven Tour de France victories.
Last year, Armstrong stepped away from the foundation he created in 1997 after his diagnosis with testicular cancer.
Nike, who has supported the charity for nine years, continued in a statement: ‘We are proud of the collective efforts between Nike and the Livestrong Foundation to raise more than $100m (£66m) to help people with cancer.’
Livestrong’s largest corporate backer has helped distribute 87 million signature yellow wristbands and improve health outcomes for more than 2.5 million people suffering from cancer.
Nike ended its personal sponsorship of Armstrong in October, following a report from the United States Anti-Doping Agency and allegations he had used the drugs and encouraged his team-mates to participate in a doping programme.
