Lance Armstrong Confesses to Doping in Oprah Winfrey Interview
Lance Armstrong sat down with Oprah Winfrey for more than two hours Monday for an interview in which the disgraced Tour de France cyclist reportedly confessed guilt in the elaborate doping scandal that has led to his downfall.
The Associated Press reported Monday that Armstrong confessed to doping during his interview with Winfrey, according to a source reportedly familiar with the situation. The person spoke with the AP on condition of anonymity since the interview has yet to be broadcast.
In a press release distributed Tuesday, the OWN network shared details about the "exclusive, no-holds-barred interview" that was conducted Monday.
"Oprah and Lance Armstrong: The Worldwide Exclusive," as the event is called, "has expanded to air as a two-night event on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The special episode of 'Oprah's Next Chapter' will air Thursday, January 17, from 9 to 10:30 p.m. ET/PT (as previously announced) and Friday, January 18, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The interview will be simultaneously streamed LIVE worldwide both nights on Oprah.com," according to the press release.
Winfrey shared with her social media followers after taping the lengthy interview with Armstrong, "Just wrapped with @lancearmstrong More than 2 1/2 hours. He came READY!"
Armstrong and Winfrey taped the interview in Austin, Texas, where the disgraced cyclist resides.
Armstrong will speak specifically to the years of accusations of cheating and charges of lying about using performance-enhancing drugs for the entirety of his cycling career, according to OWN.
"Winfrey speaks with Armstrong in the only interview since the seven-time Tour de France winner was stripped of his titles and dropped from millions of dollars in endorsement deals after the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency released an extensive report accusing the renowned cyclist of doping throughout his career," the network shared.
"Armstrong was given a lifetime ban on competing professionally. Late last year, Armstrong resigned as chairman of the foundation he created, Livestrong, which has raised hundreds of millions of dollars in the fight against cancer."
The Oprah Winfrey Network has also published a preview clip of what viewers can expect to see during the Armstrong-Winfrey sit-down.
The interviews air Thursday, Jan. 17 and Friday, Jan. 18 at 9 p.m. ET/PT on OWN, and will be streamed live worldwide on Oprah.com.
Watch the brief preview clip of Lance Armstrong's "no-holds-barred" interview with Oprah Winfey: