LANCE ARMSTRONG INTERVIEW With Oprah

He knew perfectly well he was cheating that is why he went to great lengths to hide it. The fact that many others in The Tour de Pharmacy were also cheating doesn't change that.

Dan

Corruption may start at the top - but it's a choice whether to participate in it or not.

Armstrong did his best to cover up what he was doing for years - that's not because he thought it wasn't wrong. What I dislike about him is that he hurt and attacked competitors who tried to out him...and got by with it. The rumors have been around for years and he has lied repeatedly and attacked or sued anyone who accused him of doping.

You make your choices - if you get caught, you pay the piper.

The good Armstrong did with his charity goes a way to balancing the books in my view - but there are no excuses. He did what he wanted to do to win - that's all it was about.

What I wonder is how many cyclists did not win because Armstrong was doping?

The most honest thing Armstrong said, in my opinion (and I didn't watch the whole interview) was when Oprah asked if he understood how serious the problem is that he created. She said "people wonder if you "get it".

He answered: "I get that I should get it." Then went on to explain "it's a process". Whatever, dude.

I think he's going to regret giving that interview - big time.

I couldn't agree with you more. While I realize the use of performance-enhancing drugs was quite common while he was racing (and may still be), what I find the most disturbing is how adamant he was about his innocence, and the reported threats (including serious death threats) that were made towards others who dared speak out against him.

From what I've seen of this whole tragic mess is that he took this to a whole other level and was one of the key people in a huge doping scheme. So, while many are guilty of cheating, it sounds like he was the mastermind or ringleader. And he certainly had no problem accepting countless accolades, awards, prizes, and huge amounts of cash that he clearly did not deserve.

He ruined and negatively impacted a lot of lives by his dishonesty and deception. How could anyone ever trust ANYthing he says ever again? What about the impact on his children, who trusted him and stood by him, not to mention countless others? The ripple effect of his actions is immeasurable. I think we're just seeing the beginning of the fallout now that he's finally admitted to his years of deception.

As for lifting the ban so he can compete in sanctioned sports again? I hope they never do that. IMO, he's lost the right to ever compete again. He took this whole thing to the extreme. I'm all for compassion, but his calculated actions and extensive lies wreak of blatant sociopathy (or at least severe narcissism). Sadly, I once admired him a lot and hoped he was truly innocent. But I now agree with those who feel he should go to prison for his actions. Being banned from competitive sports and publicly disgraced is not enough punishment for this level of deception, fraud, and vicious behavior. It's truly a very sad thing, all the way around.

He wants to compete in Triathlons and he can't due to his lifetime ban.

He is hoping that the ban will be suspended if he comes clean about what happened.

Chatting to some chatshow host doesn't really cut it though.

He is 42 so there is a limit to how long he could compete unless it was seniors.

Anyway that is why he is doing it now, nothing to do with being sorry.

Dan

I think I mentioned it before, but I will say it again. I think it is simply to get some money.

Jim,

He is not contrite and NOBODY could believe he ever would be, so he should....HECK, HE ******MUST****** be banned for life. If he isn't, what is the point of ANY paid sports?

On the twilight zone, they once had an episode where boxing was ILLEGAL! They WANTED to have boxing! There was BIG money in it! So they decided to keep having BOXING, but ONLY with ROBOTS! They might as well start making the robots NOW!

BTW on the twighlight zone, odds were given based on model, age, and owner, of the robot, probably in that order.

Steve

At least people wouldn't set personal goals based on the robots.

Steve

I see the charitable aspects of Armstrong mentioned every time his name comes up on the news. The comment is usually about "the good he's done".

But he RAISED money - as in solicited money from other people to fund his charity. He was able to do that because he put himself in a position as a "winner" and "hero" by doping.

I'm happy for those helped by his charity - but I don't give him feelgood points for it.