( CNN ) -- Lance Armstrong , who for years vehemently denied cheating while winning a record seven Tours de France , told Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs to advance his cycling career , according to media reports . ABC News , the New York Times and USA Today , citing unnamed sources , reported Monday night that the former cyclist finally admitted to using steroids during an interview he and Winfrey taped Monday night in Armstrong 's hometown of Austin , Texas . Armstrong was emotional at times during the session , a source , who was familiar with the interview , told CNN . The person refused to discuss the specifics of what Armstrong said , including whether he confessed to using performance-enhancing drugs as ABC and USA Today reported . Armstrong also might pay back part of the money he received from the U.S . Postal Service , which sponsored the cyclist and his team while he was winning six of his Tours de France , the source said . The source said Armstrong was in negotiations to repay some of the money . ESPN reported in 2011 that the agency -- which is not taxpayer funded -- paid more that $ 31 million to sponsor the team during the final four years of its agreement . A spokeswoman for the postal service said : `` We are not in a position now to discuss any of the legal issues associated with these developments and the prior relationship between the U.S . Postal Service and Mr. Armstrong , but we will do so at an appropriate time . '' Armstrong won the Tour de France a record seven straight years , beginning in 1999 . The postal service sponsored the team from 1996 to 2004 . Tim Herman , one of Armstrong 's lawyers , had no comment about the interview . Winfrey tweeted after the interview : `` Just wrapped with @ lancearmstrong More than 2 1/2 hours . He came READY ! '' The interview will be edited down to 90 minutes , Winfrey has said . `` We are not confirming any specific details regarding the interview at this time , '' a spokesperson for OWN said Monday night . The disgraced cycling legend earlier apologized to the staff of the cancer charity he started , a publicist for Livestrong Foundation said . Armstrong was tearful during the 15-minute meeting and did n't address the issue of steroid use in cycling , Rae Bazzarre , director of communications for the foundation , said . Bazzarre added that Armstrong offered to the staff a `` sincere and heartfelt apology for the stress they 've endured because of him . '' He urged them to keep working hard to help cancer survivors and their families . Armstrong 's sit-down in his hometown of Austin , Texas , with Winfrey was his first interview since he was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles in October in a blood-doping scandal . Read more : Oprah interview with Lance Armstrong airs January 17 . For more than a decade , Armstrong has denied he used performance-enhancing drugs , but he was linked to a doping scandal by nearly a dozen other former cyclists who have admitted to doping . What Armstrong said or did not say to Winfrey could have ramifications . Some media outlets have reported that Armstrong has been strongly considering the possibility of a confession , possibly as a way to stem the tide of fleeing sponsors and as part of a long-term redemptive comeback plan . But such a confession might lend weight to the lawsuits that could await him . The interview will air at 9 p.m . ET Thursday on the Oprah Winfrey Network . Winfrey has promised a `` no-holds-barred '' interview , with no conditions and no payment made to Armstrong . But the speculations swirled Monday . `` I do n't think we 're going to get an out-and-out confession , '' says CNN sports anchor Patrick Snell . `` I think we 're going to get something like , 'This is what went on during this era of trying to compete at the highest level . ' '' Livestrong bracelet : To wear or not to wear ? Armstrong , 41 , has repeatedly and vehemently denied that he used banned performance-enhancing drugs as well as illegal blood transfusions during his cycling career . Winfrey will ask Armstrong to address the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency 's October report , which said there was overwhelming evidence he was directly involved in a sophisticated doping program , a statement from her network said last week . The International Cycling Union , which chose not to appeal the USADA 's lifetime ban , stripped Armstrong of his record seven Tour victories . The World Anti-Doping Agency also agreed with the sanctions , which means Armstrong may not compete in sports governed by that agency 's code . Before the ban , he was competing in Ironman triathlons and had won two of the five events he had entered . Since the ban he has entered two non-sanctioned events . Report : Armstrong offered to donate $ 250,000 to anti-doping agency . Why now ? So , why would Armstrong choose to make a confession now ? `` I would suspect that he sees this as certainly his best way forward , '' Snell says . `` He would have taken strong legal advice , of course . When you look at the kind of stuff that Oprah 's done over the years , it 's a chance to get ... heartfelt emotions across . '' The New York Times has reported that Armstrong was contemplating publicly admitting he used illegal performance-enhancing drugs . Such an admission might lead toward Armstrong regaining his eligibility . One of his attorneys denied Armstrong was in discussion with the two anti-doping agencies . Herman , in a recent e-mail to CNN Sports , did not address whether Armstrong told associates -- as reported by the newspaper -- that he was considering an admission . But such an admission could open him up to lawsuits , something Armstrong is likely well aware of . `` He is surrounded by the best legal advice , the best legal team , '' Snell says . `` It 's very hard for anyone to imagine him going into this without having been fully briefed , made aware of absolutely every scenario . '' Share your view on Armstrong . Drug tests . In the past , Armstrong has argued that he took more than 500 drug tests and never failed . In its 202-page report that detailed Armstrong 's alleged use of performance-enhancing drugs and blood transfusions , the USADA said it had tested Armstrong less than 60 times and the International Cycling Union conducted about 215 tests . The agency did not say that Armstrong ever failed a test , but his former teammates testified as to how they beat tests or avoided the tests altogether . The New York Times , citing unnamed associates and anti-doping officials , said Armstrong has been in discussions with USADA officials and hopes to meet with David Howman , chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency . The newspaper said none of the people with knowledge of Armstrong 's situation wanted to be identified because it would jeopardize their access to information on the matter . Awaiting Armstrong 's 'last word ' Armstrong : The legend and the fall . Armstrong has been an icon for his cycling feats and celebrity , bringing more status to a sport wildly popular in some nations but lacking big-name recognition , big money and mass appeal in the United States . He fought back from testicular cancer to win the Tour from 1999 to 2005 . He raised millions via his Lance Armstrong Foundation to help cancer victims and survivors , an effort illustrated by trendy yellow `` LiveSTRONG '' wristbands that helped bring in the money . But Armstrong has long been dogged by doping allegations , with compatriot Floyd Landis -- who was stripped of his 2006 Tour de France title after failing a drug test -- making a series of claims in 2011 . Armstrong sued the USADA last year to stop its investigation of him , arguing it did not have the right to prosecute him . But after a federal judge dismissed the case , Armstrong said he would no longer participate in the investigation . In October 2012 , Armstrong was stripped of his titles and banned from cycling . Weeks later , he stepped down from the board of his foundation , Livestrong . Kurtz : Can even Oprah save Lance Armstrong ? CNN 's Ed Lavandera , Kevin Bohn , Joe Sutton , Ed Payne , Jillian Martin and Chelsea J. Carter contributed to this report .
NEW : Media reports say Armstrong admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs . The Associated Press says he has been charged with doping and is expected in court on Monday. Interview with Winfrey lasted 2 1/2 hours , talk show queen tweets . Armstrong apologizes to cancer foundation workers for their stress .