Former pro cyclist Lance Armstrong will step down as chairman of the Livestrong cancer charity he founded in 1997 after recovering from the disease, organization spokeswoman Katherine McLane said Wednesday, CNN reports.The move comes the same day that Nike, a key Armstrong sponsor, announced it was ending its contract with Armstrong amid “seemingly insurmountable evidence” that he participating in doping. Armstrong said his decision was made to “spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career,” according to a statement posted to the group’s website.Last week, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said it had uncovered overwhelming evidence of Armstrong’s involvement in a sophisticated doping program while a professional cyclist. Armstrong has consistently denied the claims.Nike said it would continue to support Livestrong initiatives. Founding chairman Jeff Garvey will take over for Armstrong, the Texas-based organization said.Armstrong said that he and his family would “continue our service to the foundation and the cancer community,” but didn’t specify in what role.
