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Lance Armstrong Admits to Oprah: I Used Performance-Enhancing Drugs (VIDEOS)

Truth rating: 10

9:23 pm, January 17th, 2013

VIDEO

(OWN)

Lance Armstrong confessed to doping in his highly-anticipated “Oprah’s Next Chapter” interview, part one of which aired on Thursday.

WATCH VIDEO CLIPS BELOW

The disgraced cyclist began by telling Oprah Winfrey that “yes,” he used performance-enhancing drugs, including EPO, testosterone and HGH.

Armstrong also admitted to having blood transfusions and “blood doping,” and to using drugs each time he won the Tour de France.

Asked whether he could become a 7-time champion without the banned substances, he answered, “No, not in my opinion.”

“The truth wasn’t what was out there,” said Armstrong. ”The truth isn’t what I said.”

He added, “All the fault and all the blame here falls on me,” and went on to explain that he “lost” himself in both the illegal behavior and the lying.

Talking about doping being common practice in the sport, despite its illegality, Armstrong said, “I didn’t invent the culture, but I didn’t try to stop it. And that’s what I have to be sorry for.”

The athlete demurred when Oprah repeatedly tried to find out the logistics of his process, but Armstrong called it “very simple,” “risk-adverse” and “conservative, and even said his use of testosterone could be “justified” by his testicular cancer.

But the illness, said Armstrong, only enhanced his “win-at-all-costs” mentality, and even turned him into a “bully.”

Still, the cyclist was insistent that he never “forced” his teammates to dope along with him.

“The idea that anyone was forced or pressured or encouraged is not true,” he said.

Armstrong took responsibility for the large magnifying glass that is fixed on him, citing his “attitude” and “defiance.”

Asked about being viewed by some as a philanthropist for his LIVESTRONG foundation and others as a “jerk,” he said, “I’d say I was both. And we saw both. And now we’re seeing certainly more of the jerk part.”

And when shown a video of him racing, Armstrong didn’t hold back criticizing himself, saying, “Look at this arrogant pr*ck.”

Oprah asked the biker whether he felt he was doing wrong at the time, felt badly about it or felt that he was cheating, and he answered “no” to all three.

And though he said “no,” he was never afraid of getting caught, Amstrong added later that he knows his confession was a long time coming.

“This is too late. It’s too late for probably most people,” he told Oprah. ”And that’s my fault. I view this situation as one big lie that I repeated a lot of times.”

Check out the video below!

What do you think of Armstrong’s confession?

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WATCH:

LANCE FINALLY CONFESSES; ANSWERS “YES OR NO” QUESTIONS:

LANCE EXPLAINS WHY HE IS CONFESSING NOW:

LANCE TALKS ABOUT BEING “RECKLESS” “JERK”:

LANCE ON HIS “INEXCUSABLE” ATTACKS ON MASSEUSE EMMA O’REILLY:

LANCE SAYS HE COULDN’T WIN WITHOUT DOPING:

LANCE ON HOW HIS SCHEME EVEN WORKED:

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  • Krissu

    Well, I would be lying if I’d say I didn’t see that one coming. Years ago

  • Chuck

    Hey, nice video!

  • Krissu

    I think what bothers me the most is not even using doping. He sued and ran over everyone who ever accused him of being fake. THAT is what bothers me!

  • mark

    I always though he was innocent..Silly me =(

  • guest

    I did too. But people I know would tell he was not and I still couldn’t believe it, mostly because he had cancer.

    IMO, he looked uncomfortable and I got the feeling he was still not telling the full truth.

  • Setra

    This was such an in depth interview, I love the many angles of this situation that were portrayed. I’m glad we got to hear from him, the reasons why he used these performance enhancing drugs. My DISH coworker first told me about this interview so I knew I wouldn’t be
    missing it. I wasn’t home tonight but recorded it on my DISH Hopper. With this my roommates and I were able to record up to six shows at once, during primetime. This saved everyone for arguing on what to record.

  • bimse_Jr

    Of course he used doping – they all did. I seriously doubt that any winner of the Tour at all times, hasn’t been doped in some form, and yes, even Miguel Indurian.

    - too much money on stake in professional cycling or any top level sport, for that matter.

  • bimse_Jr

    I haven’t seen the video, but I can tell you why he did it: Money. Lots of money! ;o)

    - if he says otherwise, he’s lying.

  • Val 5.

    When I remember that bastard had the nerve to mock the french who accused him of doping on SNL! And the American press was also ready to defend him at any occasion! This guy is a lousy cheater, a liar arrogant! I really hope he goes to prison!

  • wowza

    MATE… long time no see!! How are you?? We miss chatting with you although we dont usually go on GC anymore, I was just reading this article and was excited to see your name!..On a serious note would really love to get in contact with you, one of ‘our friends’ has had some devastating news/events that I think you could help with!! If any chance would love to get in contact with you!! Hope you see this!! xxxx

  • Audrey_Frenchi

    Lance Armstrong admited his career was full of lies…The end never justify the means… For everybody was a Hero, an example of perseverance, of courage… Yes he is in his private life to beat the cancer but in his profesionnal life, only a zero!! Disappointing!!

    I don´t see remorsefull in him… surely he was not confortable to tell the truth in tv but surely if he did it´s for something.

    Disappointing with this sport… I follow this sport since I was a young, well, only see the Tour de France, I won´t trust never again this sport. All we know he´s not the only one but the worst is he mocked of people who told the truth. He bullyied others.

  • Audrey_Frenchi

    Hello bimse!!

    So much time without see you and hope you are fine.

    About Miguel Indurain, who knows… for the moment no prooves against him but surely he did stop his career after 5 Tour de France for something… maybe he knew things could be difficult with all the investigation about EPO, etc..

  • wowza

    Hi Audrey lol!! I was trying to find Bimse_jnr as well!! LOL Im so excited!! xx

  • wowza

    I havnt watched the interview yet, but I agree with what u say!!

  • bimse_Jr

    Hey Audrey, long time no see! :o)

    And yes, I’m fine. How about you?

    I don’t think even Miguel Indurain could win 5 times in a row, without doping. It’s impossible I think, and I’ve always suspected him to take drugs, like al the others. Unfortunately the prof. cyclingsport, has had the bad reputation since the 50′ties 60′ties, where several bikers died, because they overdid it. They took too much drugs, and died in the saddle so to speak.

  • bimse_Jr

    Hi mate, hows going? :o)

  • bimse_Jr

    Lol, yes I haven’t been inhere much the last couple of months – just as I stated back then. :o)

    How are you doing down under? I hope you’re not in one of the places with the fires? :o/

    I miss chatting with you guys too, but I’ve been busy and had a lot of work lately, so my time on the interwebs, has been very limited. :o)

    What’s that about “one of our friends?” It sounds serious? :o(

  • wowza

    Hot Down Under my friend!! Yeah Ive prety much stopped posting on GC R and K articles too!! So glad I got to catch up with u, yeah one of our ‘friends’ your ‘neighbour’ is going through a really ,really tough time, hard to say here, but Audrey and I just want to try to help her through it, its been a sad, sad couple of months for her, shes not coping at all!! :(

  • wowza

    Did u know I only just talked about you a couple of days ago to Audrey!! This is ironic!! Thanks Lance for your scandal!! lol :0

  • bimse_Jr

    Hmm that doesn’t sounds good. I’m I right if I think it’s our “Swedish” friend`?

  • bimse_Jr

    LOLZ!

  • Audrey_Frenchi

    I´m fine thank you bimse:)

    Sweet routine is making my life and happy with that, lol

    When you see a man riding a bicycle and climbing high mountains without barely a sweat, it does not take a genius to realize that something is happening, lol

    What happens is that some are caught and some do not … but like there are athletes who escaped from the organization I prefer give them the benefit of the doubt and the presumption of innocence but sadly cyclism is full of shit like you perfectly said since always.

  • Audrey_Frenchi

    I can understand you, lol

  • Audrey_Frenchi

    Thanks to him we can chat and take news of bimse:)))

  • wowza

    Yes it is, and she in a bad way!! Thanks so much, I have to go to ZZZZ now but will e-mail you tomorrow!! Again thanks so much your advice/input would be great!! xxxx

  • bimse_Jr

    No worrys, of course I’ll try to help if I can. And sleep well my friend. Don’t let the bedbugs bite. :o)

  • bimse_Jr

    Good and sweet routine isn’t the worst thing in life. LOL

    But I do agree with you, some get caught, some do not and Armstrong has been very lucky or very smart, not to be caught, but the evidence has been building up, and I don’t think he would be able to deny or hide it for much longer. This is only damage control for his part I’m afraid. I seriously doubt he’s regretting anything for real. :o/

  • Curious

    Something is obviously out of control when they have moved drug testing from only the race to everyday.

  • Martina

    Everyone knew, he is milking the cow right now as he knew this would not end up any better. He is no man, he has no respect, if I would see him,,I
    would spit on him. He gave a bad name to a sport. Shame on you and enjoy this shame for the rest of your life.

  • Martina

    Why? Why it is important to see it? To justify his reason? That is actually insult to human intelligence.

  • guest

    His sponsors should ask for their money back

  • JJ

    Yeah but once you play the game you have to keep it going, it’s a charade

  • Megan

    I thought so too. Stupid me for always looking the best in people

  • D. Martin

    I haven’t seen the interviews yet. I’m putting it off — something unpleasant I remember when he was winning the tours — year after year. Even comedian Robin Williams showed up in France to cheer him on. I remember thinking here’s a guy who beat cancer – CANCER – and look what he can do now? Everyone talks about being disappointed — I think that’s a good word for it.

  • http://www.facebook.com/Rossanazazzara Rossana Zazzara

    I think Lance just won his first race without drugs Fantastic! Fear chose that package and won right off the bat Well now he could teach.p.s.He stated he had access can anyone clarify did he search for the drugs did he ask for them or were they readily available with instructions !

  • http://www.facebook.com/Rossanazazzara Rossana Zazzara

    Have a question why didn`t anyone help him the drugs certainly had a terrible effect on him didn`t anyone know !

  • gary chadwick

    He could always go for a position in politics or Law Enforcement.

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