One reaction to Armstrong’s interview has been to remark on his lack of emotion, but that’s not really right. There was plenty of emotion there, just not what one might call the appropriate kind. He didn’t wallow in regret; instead there was an electric hostility toward remorse. There was also, as always with Lance, a passion for himself. Oprah played him a clip of his victory speech after the 2005 Tour de France, in which he said, “For the people that don’t believe in cycling, the cynics and the skeptics, I’m sorry for you, I’m sorry you can’t dream big. And I’m sorry you don’t believe in miracles.” She asked Armstrong how that struck him now: “Do you feel embarrassed? Do you feel ashamed? Do you feel humbled? Do you feel—tell me what you feel.” He paused; he looked surprised to hear that those were the choices. And then:
I’m definitely embarrassed. Listen, that was the last time I won the Tour de France. That was the last—that was my last day. I retired immediately after that. That’s what you leave with? You can leave with better than that, Lance. That was lame.
So his performance was not up to par? In the midst of a confession, Armstrong’s focus was on how he might have better projected his greatness. That’s not what he’s left with anyway; now, he leaves as a disgrace.