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Livestrong wants complete truth

Washington - The cancer charity founded by Lance Armstrong said on Wednesday it expects the disgraced cyclist to be "completely truthful and forthcoming" in his interview with talk show diva Oprah Winfrey.

The Livestrong Foundation issued its statement on the eve of the telecast of Armstrong's pre-recorded interview with Winfrey - his first since he was stripped of his Tour de France titles amid irrefutable doping allegations.

"We expect Lance to be completely truthful and forthcoming in his interview and with all of us in the cancer community," said the statement, posted in the blog section of Livestrong's website (www.livestrong.org).

"We expect we will have more to say at that time. Regardless, we are charting a strong, independent course forward that is focused on helping people overcome financial, emotional and physical challenges related to cancer."

It added: "Inspired by the people with cancer whom we serve, we feel confident and optimistic about the Foundation's future and welcome an end to speculation."

In the wake of numerous leaks to news media, Winfrey confirmed on Tuesday to "CBS This Morning" that Armstrong, after a decade of denials, came clean to her on his use of performance enhancing drugs.

Prior to Monday's taping of the interview in Austin, Texas, Armstrong - a cancer survivor who last year distanced himself from Livestrong as the doping allegations grew - visited the charity to speak with its staff in person.

"He expressed his regret for the stress the team suffered in recent years as a result of the controversy surrounding his cycling career," the Livestrong statement on Wednesday said.

"He asked that they stay focused on serving people affected by cancer, something our team has always done excellently and will continue to do."

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