Daily Lessons from Life 15 January 21013 - Armstrong answered questions world waiting for: Oprah

"Armstrong answered questions world waiting for: Oprah - AFP Jan 15, 2013

WASHINGTON - Lance Armstrong, the ex-cyclist drummed out of the sport for doping, answered the questions that "people around the world have been waiting to hear" in an two-and-a-half hour interview, talk show host Oprah Winfrey said Tuesday.

"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," she said on CBS "This Morning." "I can only say I was satisfied by the answers."

Armstrong, who has consistently denied drug-taking, on Monday recorded a two-and-a-half hour interview with Winfrey in his hometown Austin, Texas.

The New York Times and USA Today newspapers both cited sources with knowledge of the taping that the seven-time Tour de France winner would admit using banned substances in his career.

Winfrey said she and Armstrong had agreed as part of the terms for the interview that neither would talk about what he said and that it would "left for people to make their own judgments."

She described it as a difficult and sometimes emotional interview.

"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."

"I felt that he was thoughtful. I thought that he was serious. I thought that he certainly had prepared himself for this moment. I would say that he met the moment, and at the end of it, two-and-a-half - literally two-and-a-half hours - we both were pretty exhausted. And I would say I was satisfied," she said."

I must say I am VERY DISAPPOINTED that Lance Armstrong DID NOT allowed the interview to be made public.

Lessons for me are:

1. he became famous due to his exploits in professional cycling. His history making 7-time Tour de France win. His famous and incredibly inspiring comeback from cancer. These are all feats to be admired. Admirable deeds indeed;

2. that he CHEATED consciously, deliberately and elaborately during all or latter part of these time is simply very disturbing. Doing good while cheating simply does not mix. What do you tell a young idolizing fan or patient or disadvantage person that the inspiring feat achieved were powered by 'cheating'? Imagine that confusion, and anger. The damages can be deep and severe. It is something I hope Lance DID talk about in his interview with Oprah;

3. this interview, with the conditions, tell me that Lance HAS NOT repented yet! He probably STILL feel that he was been VICTIMIZED by some evil opponents who were jealous of his unparalleled achievement in the sport of cycling. Otherwise WHY pique the interest of the millions who, genuinely care about his confession so as to have a proper closure, or those who could not wait to say: Aha! What did I tell you. He is a CHEAT CHEAT CHEAT! and NOT revealed what exactly was his thoughts. Is he still clinging on to be 'famous' or 'to be remembered'?

An interview that did not help the people to understand why, assuming he admitted that he did cheat, he cheat is pathetic! A SHAME really. I have EVEN lower respect for him now.