Oprah Winfrey has claimed Lance Armstrong has answered the questions “people around the world have been waiting to hear" in a two-and-a-half hour interview, according to the Associated Press.
Winfrey interviewed Armstrong at a hotel near Armstrong’s home, in Texas. The chat show host had faced scepticism from many in the sports press and elsewhere, who believed she was not capable of doing the topic justice and she would take a soft approach with Armstrong.
Winfrey appeared on CBS show This Morning earlier today and said, "I didn't get all the questions asked, but I think the most important questions and the answers that people around the world have been waiting to hear were answered." "I can only say I was satisfied by the answers”, Winfrey said.
The interview reportedly took two and a half hours and Oprah has confirmed to CBS that Armstrong admitted using banned substances while competing in professional cycling.
Winfrey said that the interview had been the “biggest” of her career, and said it did not go exactly as she had expected. She also told CBS she had immersed herself in the relevant information on the Armstrong case, reading the work of prominent cycling journalists and the USADA report to ensure she knew as much as possible about Armstrong's crimes before meeting him. "I would say he did not come clean in the manner that I expected. It was surprising to me. I would say that for myself, my team, all of us in the room, we were mesmerized and riveted by some of his answers."
The International Cycling Union (UCI) has said that if Armstrong has admitted to doping then they "would strongly urge Lance Armstrong to testify to the independent commission established to investigate the allegations made against the UCI."
