Community Corner

Armstrong Leaves Livestrong; The Right Choice?

Armstrong is off the road, and now removed from Livestrong, too. Is it for the best?

Allegations that Tour de France-icon Lance Armstrong used illegal performance-boosting drugs haven't just removed his glut of medals.

The 40-year-old cyclist Wednesday stepped down as chairman of the Livestrong Foundation, a non-profit cancer support organization he founded in 1997. 

Nike—a long-time partner of the famous biker—has also withdrawn its sponsorship from Armstrong, but not Livestrong.

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South Salem resident Rica Mendes, a breast cancer survivor and long-time local leader for Fairfield/Westchester Livestrong, said she still stands by Armstrong and what he's done for cancer survivors.

"I stand by him for what he's done for me and my children personally. Personally, I'm devastated that he felt the need to step down Wednesday. It came as a shock," said Mendes, adding that she was concerned about him as an individual under duress.

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"LIVESTRONG will live on, without question. And Lance will always be 'Boss' to us," she said.

Armstrong is facing a "massive report" from the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency that accuses him of doping between 1999 and 2005, according to dispatches by Fox Sports and the Associated Press.

Armstrong continues to deny the doping allegations; he will remain a member of Livestrong's 15-person board.

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Patch wants to know: was it the right choice for Armstrong to step down as chairman of Livestrong? Or should he remain in charge?

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