In a television interview to be aired this week in the United States the head of the country's Anti-Doping Agency says disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong once offered to donate nearly $300,000 to anti-doping efforts.
Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last year after an investigation by the agency found evidence of wide-spread doping.
Agency chief Travis Tygart says in the interview Armstrong had a representative offer the agency a large sum of money in 2004.
Tygart says he was stunned as it was a clear conflict of interest for the agency and they had no hesitation in rejecting the offer.
Tygart also alleges Armstrong provided the International Cycling Union (UCI) a gift of over $80,000.
During the interview, Tygart describes Armstrong and his team of doctors, coaches and riders as similar to a "Mafia" that kept their secret for years and intimidated riders into silently following their illegal methods.
