LONDON (AP Jan 17, 2013) – Officials familiar with the decision tell The Associated Press the IOC has stripped Lance Armstrong of his bronze medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics because of his involvement in doping.
 
     Two officials say the IOC sent a letter to Armstrong on Wednesday night asking him to return the medal. The move came after the IOC was notified by cycling’s governing body that Armstrong had not appealed the decision to disqualify him.
 
     The officials spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because the decision hasn’t been announced.
 
     The IOC executive board discussed revoking the medal last month, but delayed a decision until cycling body UCI formally notified Armstrong he had been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and all results since 1998. He then had 21 days to appeal.
 
     With the deadline expired, the IOC decided to take the medal away.

 

Update…

AUSTIN, Texas (AP Jan 15, 2013) – Lance Armstrong has finally admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, making the confession during an interview with Oprah Winfrey. A person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press of Armstrong’s admission, which will be aired on Winfrey’s network later this week.  The confession was a stunning reversal, after years of public statements, interviews and court battles in which he denied doping and zealously protected his reputation.

 

AUSTIN, Texas (AP Jan 14, 2013) – A person familiar with the situation says Lance Armstrong has completed his interview with Oprah Winfrey and that it was “emotional at times.”
 
     The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity and would neither confirm nor deny that the disgraced cyclist confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs during the taping, scheduled to be broadcast Thursday night.
 
     A group of about 10 close friends and advisers to Armstrong left a downtown Austin hotel about three hours after they arrived Monday afternoon. 
 
     Earlier Monday, Armstrong stopped at his Livestrong Foundation and delivered a heartfelt apology to staff members, some of whom broke down in tears. A person with knowledge of that meeting says Armstrong said he was sorry for letting the staff down and putting Livestrong at risk but he did not make a direct confession to the group about using banned drugs.
 
     Armstrong was stripped of seven Tour de France titles last year for running what officials described as a sophisticated doping operation.