Last night, Lance Armstrong admitted to a truth long known by everyone else close to the story. The cycling superstar had used a "cocktail" of illegal performance enhancers -- testosterone injections, erythropoetein (known as EPO), and blood transfusions -- throughout his incredible career.
He told interviewer Oprah Winfrey the routine was "like saying we have to have air in our tires or water in our bottles." The admission comes after years of accusations that culminated in a damning 1000-page report by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) last October. After which, Armstrong was stripped of his Tour de France titles and myriad other winnings.
This fallen-hero story won't end with part two of Oprah's interview tonight. Armstrong is facing innumerable lawsuits and actions against him. So why did he finally tell the truth? What judgements did you make after watching him last night?
Guests:
Steve Bartolucci, cyclist, and LiveStrong leader who has been involved with LiveStrong for a decade as an organizer and fundraiser. He has been a cancer survivor since 2000 and is currently in treatment.
Dan Empfield, blogs about triathlon and bicycles at slowtwitch.com. He was an early innovator in triathlon bikes and wetsuits, and one of the best writers about triathlon. Has known Armstrong since he was a teenager.