Some contributors to the Lance Armstrong Foundation are saying they want their money back in the wake of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s damaging report on the former cycling champion’s alleged cheating, CNN and the Los Angeles Times write.
Mr. Armstrong, who stepped down as the foundation’s chairman last week, suffered another blow to his reputation Monday when the International Cycling Union ratified the anti-doping agency’s move to strip him of his seven Tour de France titles. Several high-profile corporations have dropped sponsorship deals with the disgraced rider.
Mr. Armstrong has denied the cheating allegations but earlier this year dropped his legal challenge to the investigation. Speaking Friday at a 15th-anniversary dinner for the foundation, commonly known as Livestrong, he urged contributors to continue backing the charity, which primarily works to support fellow cancer survivors.
The foundation has reported a spike in fundraising in recent months as the scandal escalated, but according to CNN the most recent revelations have prompted some donor backlash.
“The whole thing is founded on a lie. The guy cheated, and he forced other people to cheat,” said Michael Birdsong of Salt Lake City, who began giving to and raising funds for the foundation after his wife was diagnosed with cancer. “I would like my money back. We donated under false pretenses.”

