Lance Armstrong Doping Drama: Livestrong Releases Statement, Former Assistant Speaks Out

Organization expects cyclist "to be completely truthful and forthcoming" in interview with Winfrey, while Mike Anderson, who worked for Armstrong, recalls "cruelty"

By Peter Gicas Jan 16, 2013 3:48 PMTags
Lance ArmstrongTom Pennington/Getty Images

Among those tuning into Lance Armstrong's sit-down with Oprah Winfrey will no doubt be folks from the Livestrong Foundation.

The organization, which the disgraced cyclist apologized to prior to confessing to Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs, released a statement on Wednesday regarding the interview.

"We expect Lance to be completely truthful and forthcoming in his interview and with all of us in the cancer community," it read. "We expect we will have more to say at that time. Regardless, we are charting a strong, independent course forward that is focused on helping people overcome financial, emotional and physical challenges related to cancer. Inspired by the people with cancer whom we serve, we feel confident and optimistic about the Foundation's future and welcome an end to speculation."

In October, Armstrong stepped down as the foundation's chairman in the wake of the doping allegations that caused him to be stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned from cycling for life.

Meanwhile, one of Armstrong's former assistants, Mike Anderson, has spoken out for the first time regarding all the doping drama.

"He made the mistakes, but there were guys behind the scenes who built him up, who sold that lie to the public," Anderson said on Wednesday's Good Morning America.

Anderson also claimed he was "witness to cruelty on a number of occasions" by Armstrong in an effort to keep his lies a secret.

"It was a concerted effort to make a pot of money, and those of us who called him out were destroyed," he said.

As for Armstrong's interview with Winfrey, it will air over two nights on the OWN network starting this Thursday.