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For years, nothing seemed capable of slowing, let alone stopping, Lance Armstrong. |
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Even as he hauled the growing burden of doping accusations up increasingly steep hills, he managed to attract fans, wealth and respect along the way. |
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The wheels finally came off. |
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多年來,似乎沒有任何事物能夠拖慢藍斯.阿姆斯壯的速度,遑論阻止他。即便他背負著愈加沈重的禁藥指控迎向愈發艱險的陡坡,一路上仍能吸引支持者、財富與尊重。不過,終究還是出狀況了。 |
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In one day, the renowned cyclist and cancer survivor lost a major endorsement deal with Nike -- one worth millions of dollars -- and the chairmanship of the cancer charity he founded 15 years ago. |
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在一天當中,這位著名的自行車手暨癌症倖存者同時失去了耐吉的一份重大代言合約── 一筆值數百萬美元的交易──以及癌症慈善機構的董事長職務,該機構是他在十五年前創立的。 |
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While stepping down as chairman of Livestrong was Armstrong's idea, losing Nike's support wasn't. |
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Nike, which initially stood by Armstrong, dropped him last Wednesday with a terse statement citing what it called "seemingly insurmountable evidence" that he participated in doping. |
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卸下壯活基金會的董事長職務雖是阿姆斯壯的主意,但失去耐吉的贊助卻不是。耐吉原本支持阿姆斯壯,卻在上週三以一份措辭簡短的聲明放棄了他,指稱他涉及使用禁藥的事實「看似鐵證如山」。 |
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Hours later, brewery giant Anheuser-Busch followed suit, saying it will let Armstrong's contract expire at the end of the year. |
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Nike and Anheuser-Busch said they still plan to support Livestrong and its initiatives. |
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幾個小時後,釀酒大廠安布公司也接著跟進,指表示們與阿姆斯壯的合約將於年底期滿終止。耐吉與安布公司表示他們仍打算支持壯活及其計畫。 |
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The American Cancer Society, which has had a long relationship with Armstrong, said only that it would continue to collaborate with Livestrong. |
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與阿姆斯壯合作已久的美國癌症協會只表示他們仍會繼續與壯活合作。 |
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Armstrong walked away as chairman of the Livestrong cancer charity "to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career," according to a statement posted to the group's Web site. |
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阿姆斯壯卸下壯活癌症慈善基金會的董事長職務,「以免基金會受到我自行車生涯之相關爭議造成的任何負面影響」,公布於該組織網站上的一份聲明指出。 |
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The move comes a week after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency detailed what it called "overwhelming" evidence of Armstrong's involvement as a professional cyclist in "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program." |
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在阿姆斯壯採取這項舉動的一星期前,美國反禁藥機構詳述了他們所謂的「大量」證據,顯示阿姆斯壯在身為職業自行車手,曾經涉及「極複雜、專業而且成功的禁藥使用計畫」。 |
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The seven-time Tour de France winner has consistently denied the claims, and legions of fans and corporate supporters had backed him -- until now. |
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這位環法自行車賽七冠王一再否認指控,大批支持者與贊助企業也都一直支持他──直到現在。 |
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Armstrong founded the Livestrong charity in 1997 after his own successful treatment for testicular cancer that had spread to his brain and lungs. |
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He came back from the disease seemingly stronger than ever, winning the first of his seven Tour de France titles less than three years after he was diagnosed in 1996. |
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阿姆斯壯於一九九七年創立了壯活慈善基金會,在那之前他的睪丸癌擴散至腦部與肺部但獲得成功治療。病後復出的他似乎變得更強,在他於一九九六年遭到診斷罹癌之後不到三年,就贏得了他的第一座環法自行車賽冠軍。 |