Truth rating: 10
9:25 pm, January 18th, 2013
VIDEO
(OWN)
Lance Armstrong continued his doping confession during part two of his “Oprah’s Next Chapter” interview, which aired on Friday.
As Gossip Cop reported, part one of the special focused on the disgraced cyclist’s admission that he used performance-enhancing drugs during his seven Tour de France championships, and had lied to his sponsors, supporters and fans for years — not to mention U.S. and international governing bodies.
In Friday’s portion of the interview, Oprah Winfrey asked Armstrong about losing his sponsorships, worth millions of dollars, and the support of the LIVESTRONG foundation that he founded.
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“In a way I just assumed we’d get to that point. The story was getting out of control, which was my worst nightmare,” the biker said, adding, ”The one person I didn’t think would leave was the foundation.”
Calling when he was asked to take on less responsibilities and, later, step aside entirely “the most humbling moment,” Armstrong acknowledged “it was the best thing for the organization, but it hurt like hell.”
Armstrong, who also said he’s “certainly lost all future income,” later became emotional when talking about his oldest son Luke defending him on the Internet, saying that was when he realized “I had to tell him.”
“I said, I want you to know that it’s true,” he recounted telling him and his 11-year-old twin girls over the holidays. “And they didn’t say much. They just accepted it.”
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While tearing up, Armstrong said he further told Luke, “Don’t defend me anymore. Don’t.”
And though he said his mom is a “wreck” over his admissions, Armstrong explained why this isn’t the “darkest” time of his life.
“You cannot compare this to a [cancer] diagnosis… That sets the bar. It’s close,” he said. “But I’m an optimist. And I like to look forward. This has caused me to look back.”
Reflecting further on his career, the athlete said he felt “invincible” during his heyday – and still does to a degree.
“That guy’s still there,” he told Oprah. ”I’m not going to lie to you or the public.”
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And Armstrong — who said he doesn’t believe his testicular cancer was related to his doping — even tried to make the case for why he didn’t deserve the “death penalty,” and shouldn’t have gotten a lifetime ban from sanctioned competition sports.
“If you’re asking me do I want to compete again, the answer is hell yes. I’m a competitor,” he said.
He added, “I deserved to be punished. I didn’t deserve the death penalty.”
Still, when Oprah asked point-blank if Armstrong felt “remorse,” he answered, “absolutely,” and promised to make up for his wrongdoings, or at least attempt to.
The former champion, who said he plans to seek therapy more “consistently,” told the talk show host, ”This is heavy. This is messy. This is not something I can leave after sitting with you and say it’s all good.”
“I’m committed to spending as long as I have to make amends, knowing full well I won’t get everything back,” he said.
But, he vowed, “I can’t lose my way again.”
Check out the videos below.
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WATCH:
Lance Armstrong on Telling His Son the Truth
Who Does Lance Armstrong Owe an Apology To?
Does Lance Armstrong’s Punishment Fit the Crime?
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