Lance Armstrong's cancer-fighting charity Livestrong celebrates its 15th anniversary at a time doping charges have made its founder an outcast in sports and the charity is fighting to ward off damage from the scandal.
Livestrong holds its anniversary gala Friday night in downtown Austin. The party comes just two days after Armstrong stepped down as chairman to help shield the charity from the fallout of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency's massive report detailing performance-enhancing drug use by the seven-time Tour de France winner.
Armstrong denies doping. USADA has ordered him banned from the sport for life and stripped of his tour victories.
Armstrong has been planning to speak to the crowd of about 1,700 Livestrong supporters, cancer survivors and friends. He's expected to mention his decision to step down as chairman, but not the USADA report and evidence.
Armstrong also is scheduled to participate in a bike ride with thousands of cyclists on Sunday morning.
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