Lance Armstrong Doping Scandal: Oprah Interview Gives Disgraced Biker a Shot At Redemption

Culture

Lance Armstrong, the disgraced former professional road racing cyclist who had won the Tour de France seven consecutive times only to be disqualified and stripped from all his titles due to his doping scandal, apologized Monday to the staff of Livestrong — reported USA Today.

Armstrong did so prior to taping his much-anticipated interview with Oprah Winfrey, which will air on Thursday and during which Armstrong is expected to come clean on the scandal that not only finished his career (for now) but also shattered biking fans worldwide and across generations. 

Livestrong spokesperson Katherine McLane said it was a "very sincere and heartfelt apology to the staff."

From USA Today:

Livestong, a charity based in Austin, Texas, was founded by Armstrong to provide support to cancer survivors. It has been entangled in the controversy surrounding Armstrong's cycling career during the last few years. In October, Armstrong was forced to step down from the Livestrong board after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released a massive file of detailed doping evidence against him.

Thursday's Armstrong interview with Winfrey will mark a twist in the former athlete's doping scandal as — until today — he has lied by denying he ever doped.