Lance Armstrong made his first public speech since a United States Anti-Doping Agency report branded him a serial doper.
The former cyclist was speaking at a fundraiser for his cancer charity Livestrong, which the 41-year-old founded 15 years ago.
He said: "It's been a difficult couple of weeks for me and my family, my friends and this foundation.
"We will not be deterred, we will move forward. The mission absolutely must go on and I just have one last request. Let's have a helluva good time tonight."
Armstrong stepped down as chairman of Livestrong this week, before global sports brand Nike ended their affiliation with the Texan.
