Several people "with direct knowledge of the situation" have revealed that LANCE ARMSTRONG "has told associates and anti-doping officials that he is considering publicly admitting that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions during his cycling career," according to Juliet Macur of the N.Y. TIMES. Sources claimed that he would do this "because he wants to persuade anti-doping officials to restore his eligibility, so he can resume his athletic career." When asked if Armstrong might admit to doping, Armstrong's lawyer TIM HERMAN said, "Lance has to speak for himself on that." Armstrong "has been under pressure from various fronts to confess." One source said that wealthy supporters of Livestrong, the charity he founded after surviving testicular cancer, have been "trying to persuade him to come forward, so he could clear his conscience and save the organization from further damage." Herman said that the option to confess to anti-doping officials "was not currently on the table." However, the sources familiar with the situation said that Armstrong, 41, "was in fact moving toward confessing and had even been in discussions with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency." A source added that Armstrong was also "seeking to meet" World Anti-Doping Agency Dir General DAVID HOWMAN (N.Y. TIMES, 1/4). BLOOMBERG's Bob Bensch noted Howman said WADA has "read with interest" the N.Y. Times article, but said that Armstrong "hasn't approached the organization." Howman: "To date, WADA had had no official approach from Mr. Armstrong or his legal representatives, but -- as with anyone involved in anti-doping violations -- it would welcome any discussion that helps in the fight against doping in sport" (BLOOMBERG, 1/5).
