Another player in the drama that led to Armstrong's downfall is Emma O'Reilly, who was once a masseuse and personal assistant to Armstrong and his cycling team.

She spoke out in a 2003 book "L.A. Confidentiel," published in French and subsequently translated into English, and later spoke to USADA for its investigation.

She said she was in the room when Armstrong and two other team officials came up with a plan to backdate a prescription for corticosteroids to explain a positive steroid test result during the 1999 Tour de France.

"Now, Emma, you know enough to bring me down," she says Armstrong told her after that meeting.

She also said she took clandestine trips to pick up and drop off what she assumed were doping products, and that she bought Armstrong makeup to help conceal a bruise from a syringe injection. But she said she did not personally see Armstrong use banned substances.

O'Reilly has said Armstrong trashed her after she spoke out publicly.

There are far more cases of Armstrong lashing out against those who crossed his path, such as journalist David Walsh, author of "L.A. Confidentiel -- Les Secrets de Lance Armstrong."

But let's turn to some of the former cycling legend's past claims about his record and where the alleged "witch hunt" came from.

"He's trying to back up his old lady."

Among those who crossed Armstrong's path was fellow cyclist Frankie Andreu. He and his wife, Betsy, were once among Armstrong's closest friends. The two say they were with Armstrong when he told a doctor he had taken performance-enhancing substances, including EPO, testosterone, cortisone, growth hormone and steroids. The Andreus testified about the incident under oath.

Armstrong, in a videotaped deposition, said he had never made such remarks. As for Frankie Andreu, Armstrong said, "I feel for him," adding, "I think he's trying to back up his old lady."

Sports Illustrated reported that Armstrong disparaged Betsy Andreu's testimony for years, "telling SI in 2007 that Andreu was motivated by 'bitterness, jealousy and hatred' and claiming to The Guardian (a British publication) a year later, 'Betsy blogs 24 hours a day about me. If that ain't sick, what is?'"

Betsy Andreu said she had to go on "a quest to clear my name because I never, ever, ever lied about anything."

Her remarks came in a documentary, first shown on Australian TV network ABC and later broadcast by CNN, in which Armstrong's remarks under oath can be seen.

The claims

500-600 drug tests...

Armstrong and his representatives have cited this figure repeatedly.

"Throughout his 20-plus year professional career, Mr. Armstrong has been subjected to 500 to 600 drug tests," one of the lawsuits his attorneys filed read.

But records show that he apparently has not had nearly that many, the USADA report said.

The USADA itself tested Armstrong fewer than 60 times, and the International Cycling Union tested him about 215 times, the USADA report said.