Oprah Winfrey to interview Lance Armstrong for 'Oprah's Next Chapter'

[MrsPincince]

http://news.yahoo.com/oprah-winfrey-interview-lance-armstrong-oprahs-next-chapter-060017717--spt.html



LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Lance Armstrong has agreed to a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey where he will address allegations that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his cycling career.

According to a release posted on Winfrey's website on Tuesday, it's the first interview with Armstrong since his athletic career crumbled under the weight of a massive report by USADA detailing allegations of drug use by the famous cyclist and teammates on his U.S. Postal Service teams.

It's unclear if the interview at Armstrong's home in Austin, Texas, has already been taped. Nicole Nichols, a spokeswoman for Oprah Winfrey Network & Harpo Studios, declined comment.

The show will air on Jan. 17 in the United States.

Armstrong has strongly denied the doping charges that led to him being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles, but The New York Times reported Friday he has told associates he is considering admitting the use of PEDS.

The newspaper report cited anonymous sources, and Armstrong attorney Tim Herman told The Associated Press that night that he had no knowledge of Armstrong considering a confession.

Earlier Tuesday, "60 Minutes Sports" reported the head of the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency told the show a representative for Armstrong offered the agency a "donation" in excess of $150,000 several years before an investigation by the organization led to the loss of Armstrong's Tour de France titles.

In an interview for the premiere airing on Showtime on Wednesday night, USADA CEO Travis Tygart said he was "stunned" when he received the offer in 2004.

"It was a clear conflict of interest for USADA," Tygart said. "We had no hesitation in rejecting that offer."

Herman denied such an offer was made.

"No truth to that story," Herman wrote Tuesday in an email to the AP. "First Lance heard of it was today. He never made any such contribution or suggestion."

Tygart was travelling and did not respond to requests from the AP for comment. USADA spokeswoman Annie Skinner said Tygart's comments from the interview were accurate. In it, he reiterates what he told the AP last fall: That he was surprised when federal investigators abruptly shut down their two-year probe into Armstrong and his business dealings, then refused to share any of the evidence they had gathered.

"You'll have to ask the feds why they shut down," Tygart told the AP. "They enforce federal criminal laws. We enforce sports anti-doping violations. They're totally separate. We've done our job."

[Londres70]

I don't know what to think of Lance Armstrong....whether he is guilty or not.

I do KNOW his teammates had no problem "throwing him under the bus."  

Over here cycyling is a big deal and alot of europeans were upset.  

He is definitely a champ when it comes to causes, i.e. cancer.  

[MrsPincince]

The medal stripping is what made me believe..

"Lance has done so much that is good, remarkable, beneficial.  His foundation has been a Godsend to people suffering from cancer. ."

100% agree!

[teko]

This man has accomplished so much, gone through so much and they dont strip medals from innocent people, or if they do, we gots a major problem. I have defended this fellow every step of the way and I took up for him so many times and then he loses his medals over it?  I still think highly of him, but I have to admit this one took the wind out of my sails. I dont know what to think anymore. And if he is not guilty, I sure wish he had stayed the fight on behalf of himself and all those who believed in him.

[newtowngirl]

I disagree that Lance Armstrong is a fake.  He has accomplished so much.  He has NEVER failed a drug test, and the people who testified against him were already found to be guilty of doping and there is no way to know what went on behind the scenes before the accusers came forward with their stories.

Lance has done so much that is good, remarkable, beneficial.  His foundation has been a Godsend to people suffering from cancer.  His accomplishments in cycling are only a small part of the story.  I doubt Oprah will get him to admit "guilt" because he is not guilty.  He has been attacked over and over again through the years and yet there is not one single failed test and not one single scintilla of physical proof.  There is only the testimony of people who have been proven to be cheaters.

[MrsPincince]

"Ya know, he is such a disappointment to me."

I so agree T...He was an inspiration to many..its just sad that he turned out to be a fake...


"Do you think she can get him to admit he is guilty I wonder?"

Hmm Oprah has some skills when it comes to getting people to talk but IDK if she can get him to admit guilt. We'll see.... I'm going to tune in for sure...

[teko]

Ya know, he is such a disappointment to me. Do you think she can get him to admit he is guilty I wonder?