Lance Armstrong resigns from Livestrong

Lance Armstrong stepped down as a board member of Livestrong, the cancer-support charity he founded in 1997, the organization said Monday.

"Lance Armstrong has chosen to voluntarily resign from the Board of Directors of the Livestrong Foundation to spare the organization any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding his cycling career," Livestrong chairman Jeff Garvey said in a statement.

"We are deeply grateful to Lance for creating a cause that has served millions of cancer survivors and their families."

Armstrong, a survivor of testicular cancer, previously stepped down as Livestrong's chairman.

The 41-year-old had his seven Tour de France victories nullified and was banned from cycling for life last month after the International Cycling Union ratified the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's sanctions against him.

The USADA published a report that said the now-retired rider was involved in the "most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."

Livestrong spokeswoman Katherine McLane told Reuters that Armstrong "remains the inspiration" for the charity and is its largest donor, having contributed $7 million.

She said Armstrong will stay involved with Livestrong, just not as a board member.

Garvey added: "Armstrong was instrumental in changing the way the world views people affected by cancer."

Armstrong denied using performance-enhancing drugs.