Drugs in Sport:Lance Armstrong, the cyclist at the centre of the biggest doping scandal in the sport's history, may admit he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career. Such an admission would be a stunning reversal for Armstrong, who has vehemently denied doping for years.
The New York Times reported that Armstrong, 41, has told associates and anti-doping officials he may make the admission in hopes of persuading anti-doping officials to allow him to resume competition in athletic events that adhere to the World Anti-Doping Code, under which Armstrong is currently subject to a lifetime ban.
Asked if Armstrong might admit to doping, Armstrong's lawyer Tim Herman said: "Lance has to speak for himself on that."
The New York Times, citing an unidentified person briefed on the situation, said Armstrong has been in discussions with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) and met Travis Tygart, the agency's chief executive. The paper, citing the same source, said Armstrong is also seeking to meet with David Howman, the director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency.
Armstrong's lawyer denied his client had talked with Tygart. Howman said in a statement the agency had read "with interest" media accounts of Armstrong's possible intention to confess.
A report from Usuada in October citied Armstrong's involvement in what it characterised as the "most sophisticated, professionalised and successful doping program that sport has ever seen," involving anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, blood transfusions and other doping.
Less than two weeks later, Armstrong's seven Tour de France victories were nullified and he was banned from cycling for life after the International Cycling Union ratified the Usada’s sanctions against him.
Armstrong is scheduled to be interviewed on the Oprah Winfrey Show in the US next week.