Finally, and perhaps most seriously, Armstrong's confession has opened up the prospect he may be prosecuted for perjury after previously testifying under oath that he had not taken drugs.
In seeking public rehabilitation, and a second chance to compete, it is possible Armstrong has dug himself into a deeper hole than he imagined.
His emotional mea culpa last week was an audacious move. But the man who beat cancer and regularly - with illegal help - triumphed over any rival on his bike seems to have failed to beat his toughest opponent: public opinion.
The hours of dialogue with Winfrey, which culminated in a choked-up moment on Saturday as he discussed the impact of his cheating on his family, appear to have failed to give Armstrong the redemption he craves.
His confession, which many believe is aimed at reducing his ban from competitive sports and allowing him to take part in triathlons, has been greeted with dismay, criticism and derision. Few critics and fellow athletes who watched his display have extended the hand of sympathy.
"Armstrong said he was sorry for all the years of lying, but he sounded like he was reading a shopping list," said Howard Kurtz, media critic for CNN.
Part of the problem was that Armstrong was rowing back on so much previous behaviour and years of aggressive lambasting of reporters, officials and teammates who had claimed he was doping.
"I don't forgive Lance Armstrong, who lied to me in two interviews. And I suspect most of America won't, either," Kurtz wrote.
That was a common sentiment. Many sports stars condemned the former hero, saying his actions had damaged the image of sports far beyond cycling.
"I guess all I needed to see was the first few minutes [of the interview] and then I knew what was the deal, and the rest I don't really care," tennis player Roger Federer told reporters at the Australian Open.
"I'm an active athlete right now, and it's not fun times really to be in sports to a degree."
Anti-doping officials were equally unimpressed. If Armstrong's aim was to reduce his ban then it appears to have failed.
New Zealander David Howman, director-general of the World Anti-Doping Agency, told the New York Times: "He spoke to a talk-show host. I don't think any of it amounted to assistance to the anti-doping community, let alone substantial assistance. You bundle it all up and say, so what?"
On Saturday, Armstrong appeared more emotional in his talk with Winfrey than in the first interview. He did appear to choke up.
"I saw my son defending me and saying, 'That's not true. What you're saying about my dad is not true.' That's when I knew I had to tell him," Armstrong said. The cyclist paused, lip trembling, and looked away as he composed himself.
But aside from that moment the rest of the interview went largely as expected, with Armstrong confessing to his sins - though by no means agreeing to all the accusations levelled against him - and showing flashes of defiance and self-regard.
Wrong moves on Oprah
Didn't cry properly
When high-profile guests appear on Oprah Winfrey's show, they are expected to weep copiously as they reveal all. Someone as competitive as Armstrong knows that second place counts for nothing: his choking-up and near-tears just did not cut it. America wanted rivers of tears.
Didn't give a full confession
The only way to do a confession is to go all the way. Armstrong appeared to want to go only so far. He needed to name names and give full and frank details. But Armstrong seemed happy with generalities and still denies key allegations.
Didn't lose the "attitude"
During the hours of interview, many commentators remarked on Armstrong's controlled and emotionless demeanour. Armstrong needed to show he was human and worthy of sympathy and - most importantly of all - genuine. His performance came across as just that: something fake for the camera.
Played the victim
Armstrong seemed to break another cardinal rule of such confessions in having too much self-pity. At one point, he felt that he "deserved" a chance of a comeback. He had failed to understand that in the world of TV confessions that is not up to you any more.
- Observer
