Lance Armstrong's doping scandal was both disappointing and sad, International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge said.

Rogge said if the American was truly contrite he could in the future act as an example to younger cyclists.

Armstrong had already been stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and his 2000 Olympic bronze medal before making his personal confession to American talk show host Oprah Winfrey.

"Armstrong's is a sad story but one has to take this as an opportunity," Rogge said.

"It is a pivotal moment for cycling.

"There is a new spirit within cycling. The fight should be intensified in terms of the role the entourage has played.

"The athletes are not the only ones implicated in doping. The entourage gives bad advice to the athletes."

Rogge, who has made the fight against doping one of his major policies during his presidency, said it would be important how Armstrong conducted himself in the aftermath of his admission last month.

"If he shows remorse and contrition as he appeared to do in the interview, it would be a good example for younger cyclists," he said.

Rogge refused to comment on senior IOC member and former WADA chief Dick Pound's remark that cycling could be excluded from the Games.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 02/14/2013 page11)