Oprah says Lance Armstrong 'did not come clean' like she thought he would

Oprah Winfrey said Lance Armstrong, who she said confessed to her that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his string of Tour de France victories, did not come clean in the manner' she expected, Reuters reported.

Winfrey went on to say that she would leave it to others to decide if the former champion was contrite during the interview that was taped on Monday in Texas, but she did call him thoughtful and serious.

A group of about 10 close friends and advisers to Armstrong left after the taping.All declined comment entering and exiting the session.

In a text to the AP on Saturday, Armstrong said: "I told her (Winfrey) to go wherever she wants and I'll answer the questions directly, honestly and candidly. That's all I can say."

Armstrong was stripped of all seven tour titles last year following a voluminous U.S. Anti-Doping Agency report that portrayed him as a ruthless competitor, willing to go to any lengths to win the prestigious race according to Fox News.

USADA chief executive Travis Tygart labeled the doping regimen allegedly carried out by the U.S. Postal Service team that Armstrong once led, "The most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."

The International Cycling Union, or UCI, said it was aware of media reports that Armstrong had come clean and confessed to doping during an interview with Oprah Winfrey taped Monday.

"If these reports are true, we would strongly urge Lance Armstrong to testify to the Independent Commission established to investigate the allegations made against the UCI in the recent USADA reasoned decision on Lance Armstrong and the United States Postal Service (USPS) team," the federation said in a statement.

The UCI said it would not make any further comment until it has viewed the interview, which is to be broadcast on Thursday night.

The UCI has been accused of covering up suspicious samples from Armstrong, accepting financial donations from him and helping him avoid detection in doping tests.

Armstrong is reportedly considering testifying against UCI officials.

Advertisement

, Richmond Top News Examiner

Gail Williams received salvation at a young age. She is married to Bishop Robert R. Williams. She was ordained as a minister in 1987. Dr. Williams received her undergraduate degree in Human Ecology at Virginia State University in Petersburg, Va. She received a Master of Arts degree in Religion...

Today's top buzz...