Lance Armstrong has pulled out of a conference in Dublin at roughly twenty four hours notice.
He was to be interviewed by journalist Ewan McKenna. His agent confirmed at 4.00pm this evening that Armstrong would be attending. He is citing legal reasons.
Here's the press release that the organisers have put out in the last few minutes.
The organisers received communication from Armstrong’s team earlier today (Thursday, 20th October) stating he was no longer willing to travel to Ireland and participate in the planned interview with Ewan McKenna. The organisers were in frequent communication with Armstrong’s team throughout the day, but at 16:00 GMT Armstrong’s agent Mark Higgins definitively confirmed he would not be attending.
Co-founder of One Zero, Rob Hartnett, said:
"We are extremely disappointed that Armstrong has withdrawn at the last minute from appearing at One Zero. He has let us down, he has let his fans down and his has let down those that wanted to hear him openly discuss his past and the future of sport".
Co-founder of One Zero, Richard Barrett, in confirming Armstrong’s withdrawal said:
“We are obviously disappointed that Armstrong has cancelled less than 24 hours before the conference, however, he is just one of the 34 world class speakers we have lined up to appear tomorrowfrom the world of sport and technology. Sir. Clive Woodward, Shane Lowry, Jamie Fuller and John Kavanagh are just some of the key notes that will feature alongside many other global industry experts who will share their insights into the future of sport.”
His interviewer reacted to the news this evening.
1/2 Had planned to pass @lancearmstrong a mirror tomorrow and ask him what he saw. His 23rd hour withdrawal makes me wonder still more.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 20, 2016
2/2 Feel for organisers. In researching it his coward-like quality and lack of apologies constant theme. Here we are again. Play with fire.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) October 20, 2016
Armstrong had previously been very gung-ho about the press conference, even tweeting Paul Kimmage and suggesting that he might act as the interviewer.
However, according to Betsy Andreu, when Kimmage got in contact with Armstrong privately about the idea, there was no response.
