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Investigative Sunday Times sports journalist David Walsh revealed he is still waiting for an apology from Lance Armstrong while discussing a new film about the disgraced cyclist last night (Thursday 15th).
The Sunday Times chief sports writer was speaking at a Times+ Q&A session after more than 250 members saw a special screening of The Program at the Prince Charles Cinema off London’s Leicester Square.
The film – which goes on national release today (Friday 16th) – deals with the rise and fall of drugs cheat Armstrong, who won seven successive Tour de France titles from 1999-2005.
As Walsh pursued his belief that Armstrong was doping, he suffered ridicule and disdain before the Texan finally admitted his cheating.
Walsh’s dogged determination spanned 13 years and Armstrong indicated in a landmark interview with Oprah Winfrey in January 2013 that he was prepared to apologise to the Sunday Times writer.
But Walsh, 60, revealed that no apology had been forthcoming, adding:
“ have a feeling he will never apologise to me. I feel he thinks I became obsessed about him.”
Talking to The Sunday Times deputy editor Sarah Baxter, Walsh said about film fame with top actor Chris O’Dowd playing his role in The Program:
“It’s pretty amazing. I come from a village in south Kilkenny and it’s an unbelievable thrill, I never thought it would be like this.”
Review of THE PROGRAM by Neal Harrington
David Walsh describes his Lance Armstrong expose as “the story of my journalistic life” and there should have been more of it in this eagerly-awaited film from The Queen and Philomena director Stephen Frears.Too much of the bad guy, not enough of the good one. While accepting this is essentially a biopic of Armstrong’s fall from grace, more should have been made of Walsh’s pivotal role.Ben Foster is excellent as the ‘win at all costs’ Armstrong but The IT Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd has limited opportunities as Walsh, whose book Seven Deadly Sins inspired the film.It was good to see Walsh’s sports editor remaining as Alex (how could you overlook Mr Butler?), but more of the masterful investigation was needed. But as a fellow News UK journalist, I would say that wouldn’t I?!
David Walsh describes his Lance Armstrong expose as “the story of my journalistic life” and there should have been more of it in this eagerly-awaited film from The Queen and Philomena director Stephen Frears.Too much of the bad guy, not enough of the good one. While accepting this is essentially a biopic of Armstrong’s fall from grace, more should have been made of Walsh’s pivotal role.Ben Foster is excellent as the ‘win at all costs’ Armstrong but The IT Crowd’s Chris O’Dowd has limited opportunities as Walsh, whose book Seven Deadly Sins inspired the film.It was good to see Walsh’s sports editor remaining as Alex (how could you overlook Mr Butler?), but more of the masterful investigation was needed. But as a fellow News UK journalist, I would say that wouldn’t I?!
