Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban from sports was the reason for a recent meeting between Armstrong and Travis Tygart, the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency, as the disgraced former cycling champion campaigns for a lessened penalty.
The meeting, between Armstrong and Tygart took place last week, according to The New York Times. The report said the men's four-hour conversation centered on Armstrong's hopes that USADA would consider reducing its ban.
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Armstrong and Tygart met for the first time since 2012, according to the Times.
Armstrong is seeking the reduction so he can compete in top-level triathlons and marathons, the Times report said. Tygart has insisted that Armstrong meet with USADA to have any chance of a reduced ban, which covers all sports that adhere to the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
Despite Armstrong's public admission to using performance-enhancing drugs, his unwillingness to cooperate with USADA investigators remains a hurdle to a potential ban reduction. Armstrong has refused to provide damning information on agents, team officials and other athletes still working in cycling who might be guilty of doping-related offenses.
In an interview with the Times, Tygart declined to confirm the meeting took place but said he would be eager to begin the process of finding a role for Armstrong in USADA's fight against doping.
“Our position has not changed,” Tygart was quoted as saying. “From the very beginning, our hope has always been that he would come in, sit down and have a full discussion.”
