http://news.yahoo.com/lance-armstrong-m ... --spt.htmlLance Armstrong may admit he used banned drugs - NY Times
REUTERS - Lance Armstrong, the disgraced American cyclist at the center of the biggest doping scandal in the sport's history, may admit he used performance-enhancing drugs during his career, the New York Times reported in Saturday's editions, citing "several people with direct knowledge of the situation."
The newspaper said 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.
Such an admission would be a stunning reversal for Armstrong, who has vehemently denied doping for years.
Asked if an admission was coming from Armstrong, Tim Herman, the cyclist's longtime lawyer, told the Times, "Lance has to speak for himself on that."
The newspaper, citing "one person briefed on the situation," said Armstrong has been in discussions with the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and met with 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.
An October 10 report from the USADA blasted Armstrong's involvement in what it characterized as the "most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen."
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.
This is a little confusing, but based on the parts I highlighted, it seems to me that the report based on "several sources" (which isn't denied by his attorney) that Armstrong is considering a confession on doping is likely true, but that the report based on "a single source" (which Armstrong's attorney denies) that Armstrong has already met with the head of the USADA about this likely not accurate.
From the very beginning of this controversy, I've been in a position to be objective about this, because I really have no dog in this fight, and no axe to grind...(Or is it no axe in this fight and no dog to grind...) Pro cycling is not a sport that I've ever had any great interest in. To the extent I had any impression of Armstrong at all it was always a positive one, (overcoming cancer, all the good work he did for sick kids, etc.)
And despite the fact that the more I've learned about this, (including the fact that doping appears to have been pandemic on the pro cycling circuit) and the worse it seemed to look for Armstrong, I've still never felt that the evidence against him was conclusive. (Even though given all the factors, common sense might tell one that it was more likely than not that he had engaged in doping.)
However, all of that having been said, I have to say that if "sources close to the situation" (ie, presumably friends of Armstrong) are leaking to The New York Times that he is considering a confession, it looks to me like a man floating a "trial balloon" in the press to see whether it would be to his professional and PR advantage to confess...
And if he decides that a confession won't be helpful to him, based on the reaction of the public and the cycling and doping organizations, he can still not confess and maintain his innocence. He can just deny the reports from the anonymous sources...
Only a guilty man plays a game like this. An innocent man isn't going to float a trial balloon about confessing. (Afterall, he's not facing any criminal charges.)
If Armstrong has any integrity and character at all, and he is in fact guilty, he should simply come forward and admit it, and let the chips fall where they may. He should make the admission, and offer apologies because he is conscience stricken over what he did, and all the people he let down and disappointed.
Not in exchange for cutting some sort of "deal".
