The U.S. Justice Department said on Friday it has joined a civil lawsuit against disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong, accusing him of defrauding the U.S. Postal Service by using banned substances in international races when the post was his sponsor.

The decision came in a statement from department lawyers hours after an Armstrong lawyer said that talks had failed to dissuade the government from suing Armstrong.

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The United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) will push ahead with efforts to clean up cycling without help from Lance Armstrong after the disgraced cyclist rejected another deadline to meet anti-doping investigators by Wednesday.

Armstrong’s lawyer Tim Herman said in a statement released on Wednesday that the former cyclist still had issues with USADA, who had exposed him as drug cheat and led to him being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

In a television interview with Oprah Winfrey last month, Armstrong admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs throughout his career.

Following his admission, USADA offered Armstrong an opportunity to come forward and tell what he knows about doping in cycling and provide details about how he cheated and was able to avoid detection.

The anti-doping agency had originally provided Armstrong with a deadline of February 6, but on the cyclist’s request extended that offer until Wednesday.

“Following his (Armstrong’s) recent television interview, we again invited him to come in and provide honest information, and he was informed in writing by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) that this was the appropriate avenue for him if he wanted to be part of the solution,” USADA chief Travis Tygart said in a statement.

“Over the last few weeks he has led us to believe that he wanted to come in and assist USADA, but was worried of potential criminal and civil liability if he did so.

“Today we learned from the media that Mr. Armstrong is choosing not to come in and be truthful and that he will not take the opportunity to work toward righting his wrongs in sport.”

Tygart said the anti-doping agencies were determined to rid the sport of doping with or without Armstrong’s help.

“At this time we are moving forward with our investigation without him and we will continue to work closely with WADA and other appropriate and responsible international authorities to fulfill our promise to clean athletes to protect their right to compete on a drug free playing field,” he said.

Armstrong would fully cooperate should an international tribunal be formed to address doping in professional cycling, his lawyer said.

“We remain hopeful that an international effort will be mounted, and we will do everything we can to facilitate that result,” Herman said on behalf of Armstrong.

“In the meantime, for several reasons, Lance will not participate in USADA’s efforts to selectively conduct American prosecutions that only demonize selected individuals while failing to address the 95 percent of the sport over which USADA has no jurisdiction.”

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A twist of the mouth, a bite of the lip — indicators we learned  could be signs of arrogance and guilt. Armstrong admitted he doped his way to all seven of his Tour de France titles, but showed very little emotion.

In part two of his interview with Oprah, Canuso predicts he will show a more human side of himself, or be at risk of missing out on any forgiveness from the public. Canuso, creator of A Suitable Solution in Philadelphia, joins Metro live again tonight to offer more real time observations on Armstrong’s body language during the interview. 

10:00 p.m. “The truth shall set you free.” Oprah concludes the interview by quoting Armstrong’s ex-wife. Canuso concludes it by labeling the interview as extremely guarded on Armstrong’s side. “He was constantly covering his mouth and shaking his head, big indicators of not telling all of the facts,” she says. In addition, Canuso highlights Armstrong’s habit of laughing or smirking when asked questions, which is tied to arrogance. 

Perhaps the most significant thing Armstrong didn’t do was look into the camera, leading Canuso to believe he wasn’t being totally forthcoming in the interview.
 
9:55 p.m. Armstrong recognizes the “ultimate betrayal” that was his deception of the people who cared about him the most. His words are heavy with remorse, possibly striking a chord with viewers. Even still, when Canuso looks at Armstrong she sees nothing but nerves. “He is continuously licking his lips and drinking water, both signs of anxiety.”
 
9:45 p.m. The interview shifts gears, turning the spotlight to allegations that Armstrong had a hand in bribing USADA (the United States Anti-Doping Agency) with a donation of over $150,000. Armstrong vehemently denies the claim with adamant, no-nonsense responses. “He’s sitting up and has a firmer look,” says Canuso. “He wants to keep control of his emotions.”

Even so, Armstrong is seen playing with his fingers throughout the discussion as well, signifying nervousness.
 
9:40 p.m. With Armstrong receiving criticism last night for not showing enough emotion, talking about his children tonight could be the opportunity to humanize him for viewers. Oprah asks about how his son has fared through all this, which elicits long pauses of introspection from Armstrong. “His damp eyes indicate anxiety, fear or sadness,” says Canuso. “Then he closes his eyes as if he wants to shut out the world.”

Pinching the bridge of the nose is also a sign of confusion.
 
9:30 p.m. As the focus shifts to Armstrong’s ex-wife, children and therapy, he continues to rub his neck, a sign of feeling pressure. “He says he has work to do on himself, but shakes his head no,” says Canuso, noting the contradiction.

9:25 p.m. The conversation turns to Armstrong’s public persona. Oprah leads in with questions about the authenticity of his intentions. In other words, why is he doing this interview? “Oprah is asking questions he does not want to answer, so you will see him take deeper breaths,” says Canuso. 

When asked if he has remorse for his actions, Armstrong pauses to weigh his response. “True remorse and emotion would come without hesitation,” she adds.

9:15 p.m. Canuso immediately picks up on Armstrong’s crossed legs. The fact that he’s holding onto his leg also suggests that he may be feeling partially closed off to Oprah’s questions. “He answers each question absolutely while shaking his head no,” she says. 

According to Canuso, Armstrong’s body language lends itself to the idea that he isn’t being fully upfront. “There are signs of holding back on the truth,” she says. “In this case, it could be that he isn’t telling all of the facts.”

9 p.m. Lance Armstrong takes his place once more in the hot seat. Last night, the world watched as the once-beloved icon fielded a barrage of tough questions from Oprah. According to our body language expert, Armstrong speaks volumes without ever having to open his mouth. 

Part two of the Oprah exclusive wastes no time in cutting to the chase, kicking off the interview with a focus on lost mega-million sponsorships and his fall from grace within the Live Strong campaign. “Again, we see Armstrong continually looking down, trying to be careful of what he says,” shares Canuso. An underlying anger also peaks through Armstrong’s pursed lips.

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Is he diverting his eyes because he is being dishonest? Are those tears really sincere? Canuso helps decode the truth from a man accused of being inherently dishonest.

10:40 p.m. That’s a wrap for the first part of Lance Armstrong’s much-anticipated sit-down with Oprah. Canuso’s take on it? “It was a very controlled interview with next to no emotion,” says our resident body language expert. “It’s hard to imagine all of the years of lying and the people he hurt for him not to have an emotional reaction.”

What will tomorrow hold? If Armstrong hopes to better his self-image, Canuso says he’ll have to turn up the emotion dial. Tonight’s interview made mention of Armstrong’s mother and family, which may help to humanize him for the audience tomorrow. It looks like America will have to stay tuned to find out.

10:20 p.m. As the interview further unfolds the details of Armstrong’s fall from grace, he continues to drive home how he wishes he could go back in time and undo it all. Even so, Canuso questions how real it is. “He’s shown no emotion throughout the interview,” she says. She also spotlights the fact that during Armstrong’s testier moments, he likes to make a fist as if to show his power and strength.

10:10 p.m. Things are getting a little ugly with Oprah asking for the gritty details of Armstrong’s past with Betsy Andreu, the wife of former cycling teammate, Frankie. Betsey and Armstrong had a heated, public back-and-forth over his denial of using performance-enhancing drugs. 

“Throughout the interview, he has not looked directly into the camera, which causes a disconnect with the viewers,” says Canuso. “He also has a twisted smile throughout – a sign of sarcasm.”

9:55 p.m. The discussion turns to drug tests and the legitimacy of Armstrong’s claims that he never failed one. “He twists his mouth when saying he passed the tests, a sign of arrogance,” says Canuso. She also calls attention to the fact that he keeps shaking his head, as if to deny the current mess he’s found himself in.

As the tension mounts, he continues to take deep breaths. The pressure’s on for this fallen hero.

9:40 p.m. The tough questions keep coming, gradually taking the conversation into more raw territory. Canuso notes that Armstrong often holds onto his legs, almost like an anchor. In between responses, she calls attention to his almost permanently downcast gaze while he searches for the right answers. “Throughout the interview he has a hard time keeping eye contact,” she says.

9:30 p.m. It’s apparent that Armstrong is taking his time, weighing his words carefully before responding. Admitting to Oprah that he was a bully causes him to bite his lip again, as if that admission makes him nervous. “He is having a hard time keeping eye contact,” says Canuso. “A sign of insecurity or lying. And we know he is not insecure.”

When Oprah suggests they roll the interview footage of Dr. Ferrari, he swallows – a sign of being nervous and not wanting to hear this, she adds.

9:25 p.m. Canuso can’t help but notice that Armstrong uncrosses his legs – an indicator that Oprah has said something that’s forced him to open himself up. Perhaps he’s getting more comfortable in the hot seat?

9:15 p.m. As promised, Armstrong is answering questions in a direct, straightforward manner, but its authenticity is questionable. “You can tell by the tone and composure of his voice he is well rehearsed,” says Canuso. She also notes his habit of both tightening and biting his lips, a red flag for jittery nerves. 

“It’s amazing how much he covers his mouth,” she adds. 

9 p.m. Let the explaining begin. Leading up to the big interview, Canuso feels confident in saying that Armstrong is coming into it very prepared. “He has been living this lie for many years and truly has created a world around this lie,” Canuso says. From her perspective, that in itself is very different from being caught in the act.

Canuso was betting Armstrong chose Oprah to come clean because she would most likely take a milder tone. But now that the questions are firing, he appears visibly uncomfortable. “He’s covering his mouth,” she says as if he’s saying, “I do not want you to hear what I am saying.”

Armstrong is also looking away excessively – a sign of guilt.

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American Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and banned for life by the International Cycling Union (UCI) in October after riders testified that he took drugs.

The testimony came in a United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) report in which the 41-year-old’s former U.S. Postal team was accused of running “the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen”.

Armstrong has always denied wrongdoing but is due to appear on U.S. television later on Thursday and reports say he will confess.

The 2000 bronze was the only Olympic medal Armstrong ever claimed despite dominating cycling by winning the Tour from 1999 to 2005.

He retired for a second time in 2011.

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The disgraced cyclist made the confession during a two-and-a-half hour interview with Oprah Winfrey, which is set to air Thursday.

 She described him as “thoughtful” and “serious” but said he “did not come clean in the manner to which I expected.”

Armstrong also reportedly “tearfully” apologized to Livestrong, the cancer organization that he helped found before the meeting. He then admitted to participating in the illegal activity to Winfrey.

I TESTED HIM MYSELF

“Lance Armstrong does bring out a lot of points and discussion,” Dr. Don Catlin, International Olympic Committee (IOC) medical commissioner and retired professor at UCLA, told Metro World News. “The reality is Lance had advisors that were able to keep him from getting positive tests. It’s confirmed he’s had 200 or 300 tests and never had a positive one.”

“That bothers me because I probably did 100 of them myself,” Catlin added. “We need to get better tests. Everything that Lance is doing, anyone else can do today and get away with it.”

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Director General David Howman iterated to Metro World News that Armstrong’s soon-to-be televised confession won’t change their decision to ban him from the sport.

“Whatever he’s got to say (during the interview), the lifetime ban against him is not going to be changed at all,” Howman said. “It’s not going to be changed by what he says to a talk show host.”

NOT IN THE SPIRIT

Catlin, who founded many of the modern drug tests used in sporting today, explained when cyclists admit to “blood doping,” it actually means they used substances that increase the amount of blood in the system. This can be done in various ways including using a substance called EPO (Erythropoietin) or transfusing extra blood either from themselves or other people into the athlete. The goal is to increase the number of red blood cells, which in turn ups the amount of oxygen the blood can carry.

“(EPO) turns on the bone marrow, and gets the bone marrow making more blood cells,” Catlin explained. “Red cells are very important to athletes because they carry oxygen. They are very vital to their performance.”

Other illegal drugs athletes might take include testosterone and stimulants. Testosterone can enhance performance as well, while stimulants are known to improve athletic performance.

In addition, using these drugs in any sport brings up an ethical question, Howman pointed out.

“By blood doping do I get an advantage — that’s to say a chemical advantage over my competition?” Howman said. “That’s not in the spirit of sport.”

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Details of the Texan’s date with Oprah on Thursday have leaked, most crucially that he confesses to using performance-enhancing drugs after decades of denial. This barely covers the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) allegation that Armstrong ran “the most professionalized and successful doping program in the history of sport”, but could still land the ex-cyclist in serious trouble.

The confession could cost Armstrong tens of millions of dollars in lawsuits from the Sunday Times to the US government, with a possibility of jail time for perjury. The former seven-time Tour de France champion has already received a lifetime ban from cycling and Olympic sports, lost his lucrative sponsorships and resigned from the Livestrong cancer foundation.

A gamble, but also a step forward. “Rebuilding Lance Armstrong’s reputation is the biggest challenge imaginable, but it starts now,” John David, CEO at David PR, told Metro. “He has supporters and if his story is believable, he has a chance.” David adds that appearing on Oprah Winfrey’s show, rather than hard news alternatives, will help as “she would not skewer him”.

Charity will be key; Livestrong has raised over $500 million for cancer sufferers and its patron continues to benefit from goodwill. Donations were “twice normal levels” after the damning report, the charity claims. Despite his resignation, Armstrong remains in close contact with Livestrong.   

Armstrong has also met with USADA chiefs to discuss co-operation with a wider investigation, naming corrupt officials, in exchange for a reduced ban that allowed him to compete in triathlon events. His first events in 2012 were a success and the ‘Ironman’ authority would not rule out a return to the sport.

Other drug cheats have returned to sport, such as baseball player Mark McGwire, now a coach. “It won’t happen tomorrow, but there’s a path back for him if he is smart,” says David.   
 

Paying the price:  What Armstrong could lose

US Justice Department: $50 million – value of sponsorship with Armstrong’s US Postal Service team, which it could pursue with fraud claims.
Prizes and bonuses: $16 million which authorities are now seeking – including $12 million to SCA Promotions.
The Sunday Times: $1.5 million from a libel case alleging drug use.

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“He had a private conversation with the staff, who have done the important work of the foundation for many years,” said Livestrong cancer foundation spokeswoman Katherine McLane.

“It was a very sincere and heartfelt expression of regret over any stress that they’ve suffered over the course of the last few years as a result of the media attention,” she said.

The apology came on the day that Armstrong was scheduled to tape an interview with Oprah Winfrey to air on Thursday — his first interview since being stripped of his seven Tour de France titles.

The disgraced cyclist plans to admit in the interview to doping throughout his career, USA Today reported on Saturday. McLane declined to comment on whether Armstrong will admit to doping during the interview.

Armstrong has always vehemently denied using performance-enhancing drugs and has never been proven to have tested positive.

But an October report from the U.S. anti-doping body USADA cited Armstrong’s involvement in what it characterized as the “most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen,” involving anabolic steroids, human growth hormone, blood transfusions and other doping.

Less than two weeks later, Armstrong’s seven Tour de France victories were nullified and he was banned from cycling for life after the International Cycling Union ratified the USADA’s sanctions against him.

Armstrong, a survivor of testicular cancer, stepped down as a Livestrong board member in November.

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“Lance Armstrong has no place in cycling,” UCI President Pat McQuaid told a news conference as he outlined how cycling would have to start again.

“The UCI wishes to begin that journey on that path forward today by confirming that it will not appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport and that it will recognize the sanction that USADA has imposed.”

On October 10, USADA published a report into Armstrong which alleged the now retired American rider had been involved in the “most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program sport has ever seen”.

Armstrong, 41, had previously elected not to contest USADA charges, prompting USADA to propose his punishment pending confirmation from cycling’s world governing body.

Former Armstrong team mates at his U.S. Postal and Discovery Channel outfits, where he won his seven straight Tour titles from 1999 to 2005, testified against him and themselves and were given reduced bans by the American authorities.

Armstrong, once widely accepted as one of the greatest cyclists of all time given he fought back from cancer to dominate the sport, has always denied doping and says he has never failed a doping test.

He said he had stopped contesting the charges after years of probes and rum ours because “there comes a point in every man’s life when he has to say, ‘Enough is enough’”.

DOPING WIDESPREAD

McQuaid, whose organization has long battled a major doping problem throughout the sport, added: “Cycling has a future. This is not the first time cycling has reached a crossroads or that it has had to begin anew.”

He said he would not be resigning.

“When I took over (as president) in 2005 I made the fight against doping my priority. I acknowledged cycling had a culture of doping. Cycling has come a long way. I have no intention of resigning as president of the UCI,” McQuaid said.

“I am sorry we couldn’t catch every damn one of them red handed and throw them out of the sport.”

Other issues such as the potential re-awarding of Armstrong’s Tour titles will be discussed by the UCI Management Committee on Friday.

Tour director Christian Prudhomme has said he believes no rider should inherit the titles given doping was so widespread at the time.

“I was sickened by what I read in the USADA report,” McQuaid added.

“It is very difficult to accept and understand that that went on.

“Lance Armstrong deserves to be forgotten in cycling.”

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Australian Jaimie Fuller, whose SKINS company is a partner of the elite Rabobank team and Cycling Australia among others, has written an open letter to McQuaid warning of catastrophic consequences of the body’s “inertia”.

The UCI has yet to rule on the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency’s report into Armstrong, which alleges that the now retired seven-times Tour de France champion achieved his success on the back of a highly sophisticated doping scheme.

“I’m just devastated and horrified by what has happened,” Fuller told Reuters by telephone on Thursday.

“The initial response of the UCI to USADA was defensive and questioning not cooperative and the longer the subsequent silence goes on it’s getting much worse for the sport of cycling.

“I’m an optimist and I would desperately hope that common sense would see the light of day.

“(But) if Mr McQuaid and his cohorts are not prepared to say what they are going to do about this systemic issue, to rip the scabs off of what has happened, there is no question they should resign.”

The UCI, who can either confirm Armstrong’s life ban and strip him of his seven Tour titles or take the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, have until October31 to rule on the case.

FESTINA AFFAIR

Sportswear manufacturer Nike Inc and beer maker Anheuser-Busch have both decided to terminate their relationships with Armstrong in the wake of the report.

Fuller warned the commercial impact would go beyond the American and could dwarf the damage the sport suffered in the wake of the Festina team doping scandal of 1998.

“It happened at the end of the 90s with the Festina affair, to the point where German television refused to show the Tour de France,” Fuller said.

“There’s no question that there was a commercial hit that happened to the sport of cycling. I genuinely believe that what we’re seeing now is way worse.

“When Armstrong was winning, when he was doing unbelievable things, the glow he cast across the whole sport was fabulous. Now, we’re going to see the exact reverse.”

Fuller said SKINS, which produces therapeutic compression clothing for athletes, would have to reconsider its association with cycling if the UCI failed to act.

“I’m really most concerned with the impact on the popularity of cycling,” he said.

“That has both an emotional impact on those who love the sport as well as a commercial impact on we businesses who are involved in the sport.

“Our whole brand is built on the philosophy of integrity in sport. We enable relationship with lead athletes around the world on those grounds and we also enter into relationships with consumers with those beliefs.”

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Armstrong, a seven-time Tour de France winner, denied the charges in a statement: “I have never doped, and, unlike many of my accusers, I have competed as an endurance athlete for 25 years with no spike in performance, passed more than 500 drug tests and never failed one.”

The Post cited a 15-page charging letter by the USADA.

It said the agency, which oversees anti-doping in Olympic sports in the United States, was empowered to bring charges that could lead to suspension from competition and the rescinding of awards but did not have authority to bring criminal charges.

A spokesman for the USADA was not immediately available to comment.

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“So what?” was his response at April’s Masters.

Good point.

Tiger doesn’t have to have his name on the top of the leaderboard to remain the top athlete on Forbes’ Power 100. Nor did he need a consistent swing to rake in $75 million in 2010. Woods has remained the most popular and polarizing athlete since Michael Jordan hung up his Bulls jersey, and he figures to stay that way if he can win another major this year.

2 Lance Armstrong — People are rooting hard for him — and the man isn’t even competing anymore. While fending off cheating allegations, he continues to focus on his foundation, which is one of the top 10 groups funding cancer research.

3 Peyton Manning — The Colts’ quarterback could overtake Woods in endorsements this year. The four-time NFL MVP remains the face of the league and is the most lethal passer at the most important position in professional sports.

4 Tom Brady — He may not be shouting at you to “cut that meat,”?but he’s must-see TV, even during the lockout, when videos of him awkwardly dancing went viral.

5 Jimmie Johnson — The  five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup champ is the most dominant athlete in a sport that is bigger than the NFL in parts of the South.

6 Manny Pacquiao — Pacman is the world’s most dominant athlete. The congressman took in $20M for dusting Mosley and could earn $50M if he fights Mayweather.

7 LeBron James — Cleveland still hates him, but David Stern will always love him. After teaming up — or copping out, however you look at it — with D-Wade and Bosh in Miami, LeBron has paved the way for future superteams to take over the watered-down NBA.

8 Albert Pujols — The Cards’ slugger may be offered $30 million a season when he tests free agency this winter. His move could set in motion a much-needed MLB salary cap.

9 Kobe?Bryant — The Black Mamba is still the NBA’s best player. LeBron couldn’t have led an underwhelming Lakers’ squad to three straight NBA Finals. Although his career is on the decline, his international brand remains stronger than LeBron’s.

10 Cristiano Ronaldo — The Real Madrid star is soccer’s version of Brady. His transfer fee from Man. U was a record $132 million and he dates SI Swimsuit cover girl Irina Sheik.

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