Sports

(We updated the top of this post at 10:40 p.m. ET.)

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong publicly confessed to cheating on all his seven Tour de France victories.

In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, the second part of which airs Friday, Armstrong said he was never afraid of getting caught and attributed his actions to a "ruthless desire to win."

Disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong's confession to doping isn't just a matter of passing interest to sports fans, it has the potential to be pivotal new evidence in a raft of legal matters that have swirled around the cycling star for years.

Armstrong already has lost his battle with the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, which detailed "the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program" in sports when it announced a lifetime ban of the cyclist last October.

You may have heard that banned-for-life pro cyclist Lance Armstrong, in an interview with Oprah Winfrey, has admitted to doping.

You may have heard that he apologized (tearfully, reportedly) to employees at Livestrong, the foundation he started in 1997 after surviving testicular cancer.

You may have heard that he reached out to make nice with people in the cycling world whom just months ago he was branding as liars and worse, and that he may pay back some bike team sponsor money.

Feel manipulated yet?

The 'will he or won't he' may be answered before Oprah Winfrey's much-anticipated interview with the cyclist airs Jan. 17. The Associated Press is reporting that Lance Armstrong has confessed to Oprah about using performance-enhancing drugs.

The AP cites "a person familiar with the situation." The newsgathering organization says "the person spoke on condition of anonymity because the interview is to be broadcast Thursday on Winfrey's OWN network."

Armstrong has also reportedly apologized to the Livestrong Foundation staff—the Austin-based non-profit he started to support people fighting cancer.

Cycling superstar Lance Armstrong, who has been stripped of his many victories because anti-doping authorities say he used performance enhancing drugs throughout his career, has reportedly told the staff at his Livestrong cancer charity that he's sorry. But it's not clear at this hour exactly what it is he's supposedly apologized for.

Before sitting down with an exclusive interview with Oprah Winfrey, Lance Armstrong reportedly apologized to the Livestrong staff today.

At least seven media trucks were parked outside of Armstrong’s house Monday morning, hoping to catch a glimpse of Oprah Winfrey. The talk-show host was expected to appear at Armstrong’s house sometime Monday for an exclusive interview with the former cycling champion. However, the Associated Press reported this afternoon that Armstrong was on his way to a hotel to tape the interview.

USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan writes that:

"Lance Armstrong and U.S. Anti-Doping CEO Travis Tygart met for more than an hour in early to mid-December to discuss the possibility of a public admission that the banned cyclist used performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions during his long career, a person with knowledge of the meeting said Wednesday morning."