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Winfrey to interview Armstrong next week

Cycling Lance Armstrong will talk about his lifetime ban from the competitive sports and allegations of doping during an interview next week with Oprah Winfrey, her company announced Tuesday.

The interview is scheduled to be televised Jan. 17 on the Oprah Winfrey Network. It will be his first interview since he was stripped of his seven Tour de France championships.

"Armstrong will address the alleged doping scandal, years of accusations of cheating, and charges of lying about the use of performance-enhancing drugs throughout his storied cycling career," according to a statement from the network.

On Saturday, the New York Times reported he was considering admitting publicly that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions to help him win the seven Tour de France titles.

Armstrong, 41, who was stripped of his Tour titles last fall, has discussed the ramifications of an admission with associates and anti-doping officials, according to the Times, which cited people with direct knowledge of the talks.

The Times said the purpose of the admission would be to talk anti-doping officials into restoring his eligibility in his athletic pursuits. Armstrong has been trying to participate in triathlon and cycling events.

Armstrong's attorney, Tim Herman, earlier this week denied Armstrong would admit to the doping allegations.

The Times reported Armstrong has been in discussions with the U.S. Doping Agency and its chief, Travis Tygart. Also, he would have to clear up several legal cases, including an allegation that he defrauded the U.S. government, which sponsored his U.S. Postal Service cycling team.