Armstrong's agent says USADA's ban hurts cancer survivors

The statements were in response to learning that Armstrong would be banned from participating in the Oct. 7 Chicago Marathon, which his attorney said he planned to run to raise money for his Livestrong foundation for cancer survivors

“People are now seeing USADA for what it really is: an out-of-control agency that uses millions of taxpayer dollars to deprive athletes of the most basic due process rights,” Armstrong’s agent, Bill Stapleton, said in a statement. “USADA’s unprecedented and irrational efforts to strong-arm local race organizers and prevent Lance from participating in Team Livestrong fundraising is just the latest chapter in USADA’s never-ending vendetta against Lance.”

About 250 runners still will race on behalf of Livestrong, a spokeswoman for the marathon said. Livestrong’s “participation will in no way be affected,” the spokeswoman said.

The foundation saw a spike in donations right after USADA banned him on Aug. 24, but those donations since have gravitated toward more normal levels. The day before he was banned, the foundation had 45 online donations for $3,500, according to the foundation. In the three days after the ban, Livestrong averaged 463 online donations and $30,000 per day. Earlier this week, the number of online donations was under 70 per day, and the amount was under $5,400 per day.

Armstrong is banned from the marathon as part of the lifetime ban issued last month by USADA. The agency had charged him with using banned drugs and blood transfusions to gain an edge throughout his cycling career. After Armstrong declined to fight the charges in arbitration, USADA issued the ban and stripped him of his seven titles in the Tour de France.

The ban bars participation in any sport or event sanctioned by a sporting body that is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code. That would include events sanctioned by U.S. Track and Field, such as the Chicago Marathon. Armstrong has competed in both the New York Marathon and the Boston Marathon, both of which also would be covered by the ban. He also would be barred from triathlons, another sport that Armstrong has participated on behalf of his foundation.

“Lance has helped the foundation raise nearly $500 million for the fight against cancer,” Livestrong CEO Doug Ulman said in a statement. “It’s frustrating and unfortunate that this decision could affect the foundation’s grassroots fundraising efforts. Team LIVESTRONG participants raise money to fuel the Lance Armstrong Foundation‘s free services for cancer survivors. When Lance participates in a Team LIVESTRONG event, it honors team members’ efforts and fuels their ability to raise more dollars for the foundation’s work.”

USADA did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment. The agency said it had overwhelming evidence that Armstrong doped, including witnesses and blood samples. Armstrong has maintained his innocence and said he didn’t want to fight USADA anymore because he considered it an unfair and unconstitutional fight.

The marathon also issued a statement Friday:

“The Bank of America Chicago Marathon adheres to USA Track Field rules, which includes following the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) regulations, the testing agency of the marathon. USADA’s lifetime ban prohibits Lance Armstrong from entering races sanctioned by USA Track Field, which applies to the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, as well as all competitions governed by USA Track Field. The Bank of America Chicago Marathon has had no direct contact with Lance Armstrong, nor had he submitted a formal registration to participate in the race.”