Business Communication and Character

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Lance Armstrong's Doping Confession

After years of denying using performance-enhancing drugs, Lance Armstrong has finally admitted to doping. Although already under a lifetime ban of participating in Tour de France events and stripped of seven of his Tour de France titles and lucrative endorsements, the cyclist had held fast to his message: "I have never doped." He even sued some of his accusers.

But during an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Armstrong has finally come clean. The interview will air later this week with more details of the confession.

Things may get even worse for Armstrong. The federal government may join a whistleblower lawsuit to recoup money paid to Armstrong by the U.S. Postal Service to sponsor his cycling team. And if he officially admits drug use to the  World Anti-Doping Agency, he may face more lawsuits and fines.

Questions remain, for example, whether Armstrong will implicate others and what they may face.

Discussion Starters:

  • Why did Armstrong choose to confess now? Why did he choose an interview with Oprah Winfrey to tell us the news?
  • When the interview is aired, pay attention to Armstrong's word choices and language. Analyze his approach and delivery. What makes him credible now-or not?