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Can Lance Armstrong Restore His Tarnished Image?

Accused of doping during his cycling career, a number of national sponsors are severing ties with the once famed athlete and cancer survivor.

 

Lance Armstrong, the seven-time winner of the Tour de France, was stripped of his titles after a detailed report with seemingly undisputed evidence showed the American had used performance-enhancing drugs when he won the world event in back-to-back wins between 1999-2005.

As a result of the report the USADA has banned Armstrong for life from cycling event. Now spokespersons for Nike, Anheuser-Busch, Trek Bicycle and 24 Hour Fitness have announced they are severing ties with the former champion, according to a report in the Washington Post. Armstrong has denied using performance-enhancing drugs.

But he's not the first athlete to recover from a tarnished image. Professional golfer Tiger Woods, basketball star Kobe Byrant and football standout Michael Vick were able to recover from controversy and redeem their careers. Armstrong, however, has been banned from professional cycling so a career come-back isn't possible.

He's a cancer survivor and founder of the Livestrong Foundation, a charity formed to fight cancer, which also could be damaged by the controversy.

Given all of this, do you think Armstrong can recover? Or has too much damage been done.

Related Topics: Lance Armstrong and Lance Armstrong Doping Allegations

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