Oprah Winfrey interview: Lance Armstrong confesses to doping

Lance Armstrong admits to doping during his career in a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey

11:32 18 January 2013

Texan Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour De France titles last year, has confessed to doping in a TV interview with Oprah Winfrey. The interview, which aired on Thursday night, began with simple ‘yes’, ‘no’ questions where the hostess tackled the doping issue.

The cyclist, who is 41-years-old, was found guilty of doping in 2012, but previously denied the allegations made against him.

Armstrong said he used performance-enhancing drugs from 1999 to 2005 as he saw it as being important in order for him to be successful.

The American, who had previously suffered with cancer, said that his illness led to him being determined to win; that he had a “win-at-all costs” outlook.

He also said that he was not worried about being caught cheating.

 
Now, following the aired confession, some reports claim that Armstrong may help with an investigation into doping and that he may even testify under oath, although this information is unclear.

Travis Tygart, a Chief at the US Anti-Doping Agency, said: “If he's sincere in his desire to correct past mistakes, he will testify under oath about the full extent of his doping activities.”

Part of the allegations made against Armstrong concerned his team mates, as he was accused of heading a group of cyclists who allegedly used performance-enhancing drugs.

In the interview Armstrong did not reveal details of those involved in the scandal or where he sourced the drugs from.

His charity Livestrong, which helps cancer sufferers, said in a statement: “We at the Livestrong Foundation are disappointed by the news that Lance Armstrong misled people during and after his cycling career, including us.”

It is understood the Texan apologised to the staff at Livestrong and that they accepted his apology.

The statement continued to state that: “Even in the wake of our disappointment, we also express our gratitude to Lance as a survivor for the drive, devotion and spirit he brought to serving cancer patients and the entire cancer community.”

The interview was the first of two, as Oprah will continue to question Armstrong in a second interview.