Armstrong cuts formal ties to Livestrong

AUSTIN, Texas -- Lance Armstrong has cut formal ties with his cancer-fighting charity to avoid further damage brought by doping charges and being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

Armstrong resigned from the board of directors for Livestrong on Nov. 4. He had resigned Oct. 17 as chairman of the charity he founded but had kept his board seat.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency ordered Armstrong banned from the sport for life and that his titles be taken away. The International Cycling Union, which had originally supported Armstrong's fight, later agreed to wipe out Armstrong's record seven victories.

Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane said Monday that Armstrong "remains the inspiration" and is still its largest donor, giving nearly $7 million over the years.

In a statement, new board chairman Jeff Garvey said Armstrong resigned to spare the organization any negative effects resulting from the controversy surrounding his cycling career.

"Lance Armstrong was instrumental in changing the way the world views people affected by cancer. His devotion to serving survivors is unparalleled and for 15 years, he committed himself to that cause with all his heart," Garvey said.

Armstrong has not commented publicly on the USADA report and recently returned to Austin from Hawaii. Over the weekend, he posted a photograph on Twitter showing him lying on a couch at his home with seven Tour de France yellow champion jerseys mounted on the wall.

Armstrong also has lost his personal sponsors, including Nike and brewing giant Anheuser-Busch. They either dropped their contracts with him or said they would not renew when current deals expire.

Garvey said the foundation would continue to expand free services to cancer survivors and advocate on their behalf.

"Because of Lance, there is today more focus on the individuals whom this disease strikes, and on healing the person, not just killing the disease," Garvey said.

Armstrong denies doping, pointing to hundreds of drug tests that he passed. But he chose not to fight USADA in one of the agency's arbitration hearings, saying the process was biased against him.