|
Crisis management experts say the denials aren't enough to mitigate damage to Livestrong. Gene Grabowski, executive vice president of Levick, a Washington, D.C.-based crisis and issues management firm, called Armstrong's move a good one for the foundation.
"It helps take the bull's-eye off the chairman's back," Grabowski said. "It enables the charity to show it is taking the situation seriously. It probably won't satisfy everyone, but it will satisfy a good number of people. It's a step he had to take."
Kelly O'Keefe, professor of brand strategy at Virginia Commonwealth University, said it may be too late to completely salvage Livestrong's reputation. And Armstrong may never be able to fully resume his public role with the group, he said.
"From the brand perspective, Armstrong is done," O'Keefe said.
Unlike Tiger Woods and Michael Vick, athletes who also were embroiled in off-the-field scandals, Armstrong is tainted by charges of cheating in his sport, not transgressions in his personal life. After time away, Woods and Vick could return to the playing field to help redeem their public image.
"Armstrong doesn't have that. He's just a retired athlete with a tarnished image," O'Keefe said.
Nike's statement was notable both for the sudden decision to abandon him and the tone condemning an athlete it had strongly supported just a few days earlier. Armstrong tweeted earlier this month about a visit to Nike headquarters in Oregon.
The USADA report also had the disadvantage for Nike of putting previous allegations back in the spotlight, such as a claim from a 2006 lawsuit deposition given by Kathy LeMond, wife of Tour winner Greg LeMond, in which she accused Nike of paying cycling's international governing body to cover up a positive Armstrong drug test. Nike has denied the claim.
Other cancer organizations lauded Armstrong as an advocate in the fight against the disease.
"Armstrong has been a world leader in addressing the physical and emotional challenges that cancer patients face, both during and after treatment. He has personally campaigned tirelessly for increases in cancer research funding. He and this foundation have also been advocates for better access to quality cancer care -- for all people," said Dr. Larry Shulman, director of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Armstrong's inspiring story of not only recovering from testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain but then winning the world's best-known bike race helped his foundation grow from a small operation in Texas into one of the most popular charities in the country.
Armstrong drew legions of fans -- and donations -- and insisted he was drug-free at a time when doping was rampant in professional cycling. In 2004, the foundation introduced the yellow "Livestrong" bracelets, selling more than 80 million and creating a global symbol for cancer awareness and survival.
"As my cancer treatment was drawing to an end, I created a foundation to serve people affected by cancer. It has been a great privilege to help grow it from a dream into an organization that today has served 2.5 million people and helped spur a cultural shift in how the world views cancer survivors," Armstrong said in his statement. A spokesman declined comment on Nike ending its releationship with him.
Ulman had said last week that Armstrong's leadership role would not change. Armstrong's statement said he would remain a visible advocate for cancer issues, and was planning to speak at Friday night's 15th anniversary gala for Livestrong in Austin.
[Associated
Press;
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
News | Sports | Business | Rural Review | Teaching & Learning | Home and Family | Tourism | Obituaries
Community |
Perspectives
|
Law & Courts |
Leisure Time
|
Spiritual Life |
Health & Fitness |
Teen Scene
Calendar
|
Letters to the Editor