The World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) director general David Howman said in a statement: “Wada has read with interest media reports suggesting a television ‘confession’ made by Lance Armstrong.

"While Wada encourages all athletes to come clean about any doping activities they have been involved with or know about, these details must be passed on to the relevant anti-doping authorities. Only when Mr Armstrong makes a full confession under oath – and tells the anti-doping authorities all he knows about doping activities – can any legal and proper process for him to seek any reopening or reconsideration of his lifetime ban commence.”