Atty. denies report Lance Armstrong will admit doping

This July 5, 2004 file photo shows Lance Armstrong, third from right, framed by his teammates as the pack rides during the second stage of the 91st Tour de France cycling race between Charleroi and Namur, Belgium. / AP Photo/Christophe Ena

AUSTIN Lance Armstrong's attorney is denying a published report that the former cyclist has decided to admit to doping charges that cost him his seven Tour de France titles.

Tim Herman says he has no knowledge of Armstrong considering a confession, and told The Associated Press: "When, and if, Lance has something to say, there won't be any secret about it."

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Attorney denies Lance Armstrong confession

The New York Times reported Friday that Armstrong has told associates he is considering admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The report cited anonymous sources and said Armstrong was considering a confession to help restore his athletic career in triathlons and running events at age 41. Armstrong was banned for life from cycling and cannot compete in athletic events sanctioned by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Herman denied that Armstrong has reached out to USADA chief executive Travis Tygart and David Howman, director general of the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Armstrong, who recovered from testicular cancer that had spread to his lungs and brain, won the Tour de France from 1999-2005. Although he has vehemently denied doping, Armstrong's athletic career crumbled under the weight of a massive report by USADA detailing allegations of drug use by Armstrong and his teammates on his U.S. Postal Service teams.

The report caused Armstrong to lose most of his personal corporate sponsors and he recently stepped down from the board of Livestrong, the cancer-fighting charity he founded in 1997.

Armstrong is facing other legal hurdles.

The U.S. Department of Justice is considering whether to join a federal whistle-blower lawsuit filed by former Armstrong teammate Floyd Landis. A Dallas-based promotions company has also said it wants to recover several million dollars paid to Armstrong in bonuses for winning the Tour de France. The British newspaper The Sunday Times has sued Armstrong to recover $500,000 paid to him to settle a libel lawsuit.

[mbwisper1]

Lance is a worm and needs to give back the millions of dollars he took under false pretenses (stole). Just when I thought he was finally going to man up, his stinking attorneys jump in to refute (or "refudiate, as Sarah Palin might say!) the news report I read just yesterday. Ask yourself this: WHY would former and current team members "lie" about Lance setting up and initiating an elaborate doping system if it wasn't true? What on Earth would they have to gain by stepping forward if it weren't true? Lance divested himself of his interest in LiveStrong out of GUILT. Now he wants us to believe he's NOT guiltyu??? Sorry, I'm not buying this latest incarnation of the "truth"!

[netjunkie1]

I admire the French, they are taxing the millionaires there at 75%...

[NinthSt78]

If a test was given immediately prior to the event, and based on the test results, he was told "yes, he may compete or no, he may not compete", it seems to me that the pertinent decision was made then and there on the spot and subsequent gossip is irrelevant.

[miami5004]

I agree 100%. This is a witch hunt.

[NinthSt78]

Since so much of this has been "after the fact" and not while the customer has been present, the "evidence" is very suspect as are the claims.

[kenodenis]

Lance Armstrong is a worm. He needs to pay back the millions of dollars to the sponsors who "believed" in him. Then he needs to crawl away and go under the patio blocks. And don't come out when it rains either, you poor excuse for a person.

[eroteme2]

I've heard about all I care to hear about Lance.

[No1AmericanFlyer]

Yeah, well Lance Legweek needs to go to Ironbar Hotel with his Pee-Wee "Herman" attorney and share a 6x4 cell. Period.

[stablemate667]

lance is a disgrace to the people that try to do sports fair.....no son you dont want to be like lance armstrong

[duzmafuzt]

What is fair? A bunch of committee members, telling you that you cannot work anymore? Get them off their high horse. None of the sports persons I competed against, were completely "drug free". I do not care, if a competitor shoots up, let their issues be theirs. It is not my concern, we will never know the effects, of these abuses, if dum ***** don't show us!! Winning is not everything, but a good life, spent well, can trump "Winning". I know this sounds silly, but we are all "the Best"! Some must be first. Big deal, it is not worth ruining an individual's livelihood, over allegations. Could it be that doping committee witch hunts open up much worse abuse, than an individual could ever do to themselves? A drug committee could railroad anyone, so be careful that what you see, is not what it is. For example. Our media could ruin anyone, with a few well placed articles.