Lance Armstrong to Be Interviewed By Oprah Winfrey; Admission to Follow?

Amid reports that he might publicly admit to doping for the first time, Oprah Winfrey, according to the BBC, will interview Lance Armstrong.

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles by the sport's governing body, following a report by the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA).

Reports of a Lance Armstrong admission of guilt - he has never copped to anything, only saying he'll stop contesting charges - surfaced this week.

Will this be the forum in which he comes clean?

Winfrey said the 90-minute interview would address "years of accusations of cheating." Oprah's Twitter confirmed the interview, and Lance re-tweeted it.

An admission to doping / use of PEDs could lead to an apparent bid to return to competing in marathons and triathlons, the New York Times reports.

Lance's interview - his first since being stripped of his wins and being banned for life from cycling - will be broadcast Thursday, January 17 on OWN.

Armstrong ended his fight against doping charges in August 2012, though he still did not admit wrongdoing; in fact, he criticized those out to get him.

The USADA released a 1,000-page report saying he had been at the heart of "the most sophisticated, professional and successful doping program" ever seen.

The 41-year-old Armstrong also resigned as chairman of the Livestrong foundation - the cancer charity he created - after the cycling body's decision.

His lawyer, Tim Herman, has described the USADA report as a "one-sided hatchet job."

The cyclist himself has accused the agency of offering "corrupt inducements" to other riders to speak out against him ... but the writing is on the wall.

It is believed he is considering an admission because he wants to resume his athletic career, and has shown an interest in competing in triathlons.

Asked whether Lance was really set to come clean, as has been reported, Herman told the New York Times: "Lance has to speak for himself on that."