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It was an unprecedented game of political switcheroo, one brought on by the stunning and not-yet-fully diagnosed illness of a man who has made his city infamous around the world.

Mr. Ford, who remains in Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, did not speak to the media Friday. In a statement he said he “could be facing a battle of [his] lifetime.”

“My heart is heavy when I tell you that I’m unable to continue my campaign for re-election as your mayor,” the statement said.

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“While I’m unable to commit to the heavy schedule required for a mayoral candidate I will not turn my back on Ward 2. I will be running as Councillor of Ward 2, to represent the fine folks that have become my neighbours and friends over these past 14 years.”

Mr. Ford was admitted to hospital with severe abdominal pain Wednesday. On Thursday, a doctor confirmed that tests had found a significant mass in the mayor’s abdomen. Dr. Zane Cohen said it would take about a week to determine the exact nature and severity of the tumour.

The Fords, however, did not have a week to wait. Friday at 2 p.m. was the deadline for candidates to add or remove their names from the municipal ballot.

“I don’t think any movie director, producer or writer could have thought of what has happened over the last week,” said Rob Ford’s lawyer, Dennis Morris. “One minute the mayor is on top of the world debating and in fine form, having addiction counselling completed and just skyrocketing and the next minute he’s with a health issue and they have 24 hours to decide the future of their family, themselves, and the future of Toronto potentially.”