Amstrong apologizes to Livestrong staffers

AUSTIN, Texas (CNN) – Before meeting Oprah Winfrey for his first interview since the doping scandal, cyclist Lance Armstrong apologized to staff members at the Livestrong Foundation.

During the apology, Armstrong took responsibility for all the trouble the foundation has faced in recent months.

After rumors swirled about his use of performance-enhancing drugs, he stepped down as the chairman of the foundation to “spare the foundation any negative effects.”

He has since been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles due to the doping scandal and investigation.

Armstrong founded the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

The foundation then launched Livestrong in 2003 to help provide support services to cancer patients.