Body language was “unsettling”, says body language expert
Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong’s long-awaited confession to doping isn’t as sincere as he’d like us to think, according to body language expert Patti Wood.
Having denied drug use for years, Armstrong must now act carefully if he wants to salvage his reputation.
In an exclusive interview, Armstrong confessed to Oprah, who told CBS, “He was thorough. He was serious. He certainly prepared himself for this moment.”
It seems Armstrong was aware of every scenario, deciding his next move following the scandal.
His body language showed he was carefully considering Oprah’s questions. Wood told the Associated Press it was “unsettling.”
We should be seeing open body language, since this is an interview about opening up, she said. Instead, most of his body language was resistant.
According to Wood, Armstrong’s tightly pressed lips during Oprah’s questions indicate he was holding back the whole truth, while his hands covering his mouth during the interview could mean anger at Oprah for asking certain questions.
Various other body gestures and facial expressions displayed by Armstrong throughout the interview suggest anger, pride, victory, hesitation and secrecy.
Worst of all was his smirk during questions which suggested Armstrong was proud of his doping and his deceit, says Wood.
Armstrong’s confession to Oprah might salvage his diminishing image but it may also backfire. Armstrong could face massive lawsuits from the U.S Postal service, who invested millions of sponsorship dollars into his team.
Armstrong also faces lawsuits from individuals he sued after they accused him of doping.
As for Lance Armstrong’s future, it remains to be seen whether one interview can cover the millions of apologies Armstrong owes around the world.
By Jenn Goldasic, Contributor
