Armstrong admits to doping during Oprah interview – report

Austin – His fall nearly complete, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong has finally confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.

Although American media had widely speculated that Armstrong would admit to cheating in the interview, neither Winfrey nor Armstrong would confirm the USA Today report, in which the newspaper cited an anonymous source.

“We are not confirming any specific details regarding the interview at this time,” a spokesperson for Oprah’s network OWN told Reuters.

The report did not say which drugs Armstrong admitted to using, and the American’s attorney and his spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Armstrong (41) has always vehemently denied using performance-enhancing drugs and had never tested positive to a doping test. But the evidence against him has been overwhelming.

Oprah, on Twitter, offered little more herself other than to say Armstrong came prepared for the interview, which will be broadcast on Thursday.

“Just wrapped with @lancearmstrong More than 2 1/2 hours. He came READY,” Winfrey tweeted.

But the television host hinted she would provide some more snippets, confirming she would appear on CBS television this morning to talk about the interview.

CBS reported Armstrong had indicated he may be willing to testify against others involved in illegal doping and was in talks about repaying part of the taxpayer money he earned during his career.

The unconfirmed reports about his admissions followed Armstrong’s apology to the staff of the cancer foundation he had started over difficulties they may have experienced because of the doping controversy.

“He had a private conversation with the staff, who have done the important work of the foundation for many years,” said Livestrong Foundation spokesperson Katherine McLane.

“It was a very sincere and heartfelt expression of regret over any stress that they’ve suffered over the course of the last few years as a result of the media attention,” she said.

Shortly after, Armstrong joined his legal team to meet with Winfrey for an interview described as “no-holds-barred”.

The interview was supposed to take place at Armstrong’s Texas home but was switched to a hotel in downtown Austin after news crews camped outside his house before dawn.

- Reuters