Famed cyclist Lance Armstrong broke his silence and confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs during an interview with Oprah Winfrey broadcast Thursday evening.
Armstrong reversed more than a decade of denial and said drugs and blood transfusions were critical to his seven Tour de France wins.
“Yes,” Armstrong said when Winfrey asked if he used a series of drugs to help his record run.
Said Armstrong: “I made my decisions. They are my mistake.”
Photo: George Burns / Reuters
The New York Times reported late Friday that Lance Armstrong is considering a public admission that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions during his cycling career.
In October, Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles for doping and barred for life from competing in all Olympic sports,
The Times said Armstrong has told associates he is considering a public admission because he wants to persuade antidoping officials to restore his eligibility so he can resume his athletic career.
More from the Times here.
Lance Armstrong stepping down as Livestrong chairman
AP: Lance Armstrong says he’s stepping down as chairman of his Livestrong cancer-fighting charity. Armstrong is stepping down a week after the US Anti-Doping Agency released a massive report concerning allegations of widespread doping by Armstrong and his teams when he won the Tour de France.
‘This organization, its mission and its supporters are incredibly dear to my heart,’ Armstrong said in a statement. ‘Today therefore, to spare the foundation any negative effects as a result of controversy surrounding my cycling career, I will conclude my chairmanship.’
Nike has also released a statement, saying the company is terminating its contract with Armstrong. It plans to continue support of the Livestrong initiatives.
Photo: Lance Armstrong speaks during a press conference by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Livestrong to urge Congress to oppose cuts to cancer research and prevention programs March 24, 2011. (Photo: MANDEL NGAN / AFP - Getty Images)
Doping agency claims ‘overwhelming’ proof of cheating by cyclist Armstrong
(Photo: Steve Ruark / AP)
American cyclist Lance Armstrong was part of “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen,” the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency said Wednesday in advance of issuing its long-awaited report detailing the evidence it amassed against the seven-time Tour de France champion.
Chicago Marathon director Carey Pinkowski said that sanctioning rules would prevent Lance Armstrong from running the Oct. 7 Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
Those rules, which prohibit banned athletes from entering races sanctioned by USA Track & Field, also apply to the Boston Marathon and New York Marathon.
Pinkowski also said Armstrong had not submitted a formal entry to the race. Runnersworld.com first reported Friday that Armstrong was denied entry to the Chicago race.
More from the Chicago Tribune here.
JUST IN: Lance Armstrong faces fresh doping charges
The Washington Post: The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has brought formal doping charges against cyclist Lance Armstrong in an action that could cost him his 7 Tour de France titles, according to a letter sent to Armstrong and several others.
Photo: Lance Armstrong of the U.S. runs during the Ironman Panama 70.3 triathlon in February. (Reuters)
