The new improved Lance Armstrong discussion thread.*

[ColinJ]

I've got a better idea. Let's not.

I can see where you are coming from, but I'll be struggling to get to sleep at that time so I might as well check it out.

I won't forgive him for what he did, but I'd like to see what he comes out with.

 

[totallyfixed]

Are you sure about that?

Yes, well, those on the other side of the pond that are the flat earth believers, that think the earth was created 6000 years ago and those that have never read a newspaper will believe it, er that's nearly everyone accounted for then. But the rest of us won't lie down, no siree.

 

[Noodley]

As much as Oprah is held in high regard I reckon I might do a better job

 

[rich p]

I didn't bother with this one after the previous night's charade. Winfrey, in the end, wasn't tough enough. despite doing her best to do a thorough and informed job.

 

[Twilkes]

I've only read bits of the transcripts, but it reminded me of when Nasty Nick got kicked out of the Big Brother house.

 

[screenman]

Here is what the three USA guys I spoke to yesterday thought.

"Didn't you guys see the interviews? He didn't realize he was doing anything wrong...while he was telling bold face lies for 7+ years. Shesh, cut the guy some slack. He probably just misunderstood the questions and accidentally switched the urine samples...7+ times."

"In my opinion, he seemed arrogant, unaware, and did little to repair his image."

"My thought are he is a liar . This a tough one because his foundation is so great for cancer but he is still a liar!"

Those three which is 100% of the guys I spoke to yesterday do not forgive him, that is for sure. Fact is many are embarrassed by him.

 

[jdtate101]

Well just watched the second one, and he almost lost it a few times when talking about his son and how he lied to him too. I think that's the closest we got to seeing the real Lance, although it was still very guarded. Still too many questions not asked or answered fully enough, but I guess you can't do that in such a short interview.
I'd love to believe he was genuine about wanting to change and unburden himself, but the realist in me is just too doubtful to accept that outcome. Too much water has gone under the bridge for us collectively to forgive him. I think the best thing for Lance Armstrong to do now is to co-operate with USADA with no expectation of the life ban being lifted, just do it anyway, totally without limits, and then to disappear for a long time to work on himself. To quote the last line of the interview, "the truth will set you free", ask David Millar about how he felt finally being able to tell the truth and how much it meant to him. If Lance can do this then there is a possibility of him making a return to a normal life (not sport, the life ban should stand no matter what as a warning to others). He needs to take time out and work on himself, if he is genuine about the process.
I want to believe that people like him can finally change, but unfortunately I just don't see it in his case. I guess the only person who truly knows if it's a real desire or just another strategic move, is Lance himself.

 

[Zofo]

Just watched part 2 and I think the only time we see the "real" Lance is when he talks about telling his son the truth. Other than that then most of the time he's still covering up and holding back . I think Oprah does a resonable job with him considering, in fact she caught him out once by asking him why he came back "clean" in 09 when previously in the interview he said The Tour couldnt be won without doping.

 

[ufkacbln]

Just watched part 2 and I think the only time we see the "real" Lance is when he talks about telling his son the truth. Other than that then most of the time he's still covering up and holding back . I think Oprah does a resonable job with him considering, in fact she caught him out once by asking him why he came back "clean" in 09 when previously in the interview he said The Tour couldnt be won without doping.

I am still convinced that he is up to his old tricks, and the covering up and holding back is part of this.

There is just enough to tempt and suggest that his testimony is needed or key to the next stages of cleaning up the sport. Especially if there is a public perception of this. A failure of the sports bodies to actively uncover and discover this evidence would / could be seen as reluctance on their part.

That could put him in a very powerful position when it comes to negotiating a bargain with the various sporting bodies - WADA is already on record about reducing his ban. With public hunger to find out what he knows and an equally vested interest in some parties for it to remain undisclosed then it is going to be not only a long saga, but also a lot of disappointed people if he is allowed to bargain down his ban to a couple of years

 

[ufkacbln]

But we don't need him to do any of that. The truth, or close enough to it, can be got from others. There is no need to play his games at all.

Unless he can build up the perception?

Take the example of the UCi "Bribe"

Armstrong stating that he bribed the UCI and particular individuals would be far more definitive and unequivocal than the present speculation, accusations and denials.

 

[Chris.IOW]

I've not posted on this thread before, I admit I was one of Lance's biggest fans, and defended him right up to the point the USADA published their Reasoned decision. Then even I saw the light.

I watched the interview hoping for some sort of apology, regret and sincerity from him, one comment stood out for me in the whole interview.."I regret my comeback, We wouldn't be here now if I hadn't come back" So basically no regret about being a cheat, lying, bully and no regret at misleading millions of fans, just sorry he got caught.

He couldn't have looked less interested in the interview if he had been sat reading a paper, from my point of view he needs to disappear from public life now, there will be no forgiveness.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

I can't see the need for endless analysis, most knew he was a lying cheating ****, that he now admits that he cheated proves what a **** he is but the selective truth just shows he's only admitting as much as he think he needs to. We don't need anything more from him - he can now **** off forever. Once he's given back all the money and gone to prison.

 

[craigwend]

Yes but what do I do with my 2 books & double video...

It's like finding the diary of your [insert..] had been cheating on you / betrayed you

All those memories are just

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

''Death sentence!''

Lordy, how far he's still got to go! If he thinks being prevented from cycling is a death sentence, then the number of athletes he helped shut out of cycling makes him a mass murderer.

 

[totallyfixed]

I too have watched the second part and my thoughts are that this one should not have been shown, it was all about getting sympathy and trying to show the human side of Lance Armstrong. After lying so much in the first part those of us that follow cycling will not be fooled but so far as the general public is concerned he will have done himself some good [and it pains me greatly to say that].
I do wonder how his latest wife is coping with all this and as everything in life where parents screw up it is always the children that suffer.