Live updates: Lance Armstrong says he wishes he hadn't fought USADA

But you’re Lance Armstrong, Winfrey said.

"I know, but hindsight is 20/20," he said. "I didn’t know what I had."

People "have every right to feel betrayed," he added. "It’s my fault. I will spend the rest of my life trying to earn back their trust."

Posted at 6:51 PST

Lance Armstrong rebutted the statement by former teammate Christian Vande Velde that he had forced the rider to use performance-enhancing substances to remain on the team.

As his Thursday night interview with Oprah Winfrey continued, Armstrong said Vande Velde’s statement in the massive U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that led to Armstrong's being stripped of his titles and banned from competition was "not true."

"There was a level of expectation; we expected guys to be fit, strong and perform," he said. "I know I’m not the most believable guy in the world right now, but I didn’t do that."

Yet, pressed by Winfrey about his own use as the team leader, Armstrong said he "accepted" how Vande Velde could interpret it that way.

Was he a bully?

"Yeah, yeah, I was a bully.... In the sense that I tried to control the narrative, and if I didn’t like what somebody said … I tried to control that and say that’s a lie."

He said he learned growing up, "I will do everything I can to survive. I took it all into cycling, win at all costs. I wasn’t a bully" before cycling.

He said he became one to "perpetuate the story and hide the truth … winning was important."

Armstrong somewhat defended his now-banned doctor Michele Ferrari, stopping short of calling the chemical expert the "mastermind" or "leader" of the doping program. Armstrong did agree it was reckless to unite with Ferrari.

“There are people in this story who are not evil. I viewed Michele Ferrari as a smart man, and I still do.”

He viewed a videotape of him previously saying Ferrari was free of any doping guilt and told Winfrey he thought badly of himself.

“That’s an arrogant person,” he said of himself.

Posted at 6:35 PST

Lance Armstrong said his story of returning from cancer to dominate the Tour de France was “perfect for so long.”

In his Thursday night interview with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong said, "Overcoming the disease, winning the Tour, the happy marriage. It was mythic, the perfect story. It wasn’t true. I’m a flawed character....

"Behind the story is the momentum” of it.

"I lost myself in all of that. I was one who controlled every outcome of my life," he added.

Comments (38)

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HerbertKaufman at 3:04 AM January 18, 2013

It was an "apology" with an excuse, i.e., "everyone was doing it." If Lance really wanted to "come clean" he would have admitted doping on any one of many previous occasions in the past. If he wanted to"come clean" he would have named names--who is using drugs and who is supplying them. In the past, when anyone accused Armstrong of doping, he instituted a law suit against them, like the bully he is. If he really wants to atone then he should make his confession in a court of law where he can be cross-examined with some really hard questions and face severe penalties for perjury..

june1234 at 2:09 AM January 18, 2013

No he wishes USADA had accpeted his bribe offer of $150K. Had they done so St. Lance would be on that screen denying it not admitting it

Old Redneck Cowboy at 11:07 PM January 17, 2013

Armstrong cheated. He cheated his teammates. He cheated his competitors. He cheated his sponsors. He cheated his sport. He cheated his fans and every American who took pride in his accomplishments.

Many foundations such as Livestrong are created as a way to avoid paying taxes by donating a portion of income into a non-profit charity. Once established these charities rely on donations from others to continue their existence. This makes me wonder how much Armstrong initially paid out to help create Livestrong.

I hope Mr. Armstrong loses every nickel he ever received in prize money and endorsements in the numerous civil lawsuits that are sure to follow. He deserves nothing less.

After reading his responses to Oprah’s questions, I feel as though his remorse is not because he cheated but rather in being caught.

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