Cyclist, cancer prevention groups react to Lance Armstrong scandal

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - Thursday night is the big interview: the one in which Oprah Winfrey said Lance Armstrong admits to her that he used performance enhancing drugs.

Officials with the American Cancer Society and the LIVESTRONG Foundation are confident, despite the news, LIVESTRONG will continue to march on.  As for a lot of area cyclists, the news has confirmed what they've speculated for years.

Summit City Bicycles and Fitness Service Manager, Tim Wegner, said customers he has spoken with are let down.  Olympic medal cyclist, Lance Armstrong, has admitted to using performance enhancing drugs.

"Major disappointment.  Really just disappointed.  They've said 'I can't believe he has been such a coward in coming out with that information,'" Wegner explained.

Although people speculated Armstrong had been using drugs, it was never confirmed.  Armstrong has been tested about 500 times to see if he was using performance enhancing drugs.  Despite the fact Armstrong has come clean, Wegner can't see it having a huge impact on the sport.

"I'm still going to watch the Tour de France.  My friends are still going to watch the Tour de France.  We're still going to wake up early on Sunday morning and watch that last day as they ride into Paris."

Armstrong was a big proponent of fighting back against cancer and the spokesperson for LIVESTRONG.  The American Cancer Society said "… The Society, along with so many others, has witnessed LIVESTRONG's powerful commitment to improving the quality of life of those with cancer, and fighting cancer globally. It is our hope that the organization will continue its important work. Reducing suffering and death from cancer is a moral imperative, and LIVESTRONG's contribution is sorely needed."

The LIVESTRONG Foundation issued a statement to NewsChannel 15 saying it will continue its important work of fighting back against cancer and helping those suffering from it.  Officials also said "He (Lance Armstrong) expressed his regret for the stress the team suffered in recent years as a result of the controversy surrounding his cycling career. He asked that they stay focused on serving people affected by cancer, something our team has always done excellently and will continue to do."

Part one of this two part interview will air at 9 p.m. Thursday on the OWN Network.  Officials with the LIVESTRONG Foundation told NewsChannel 15 they plan to release a statement about his interview later Thursday night.