Lance Armstrong's lifetime ban from sport was the reason for a recent meeting with the head of the United States Anti-Doping Agency as the disgraced former cycling champion reportedly campaigns for a lessened penalty.
The meeting, between Armstrong and USADA chief executive Travis Tygart, took place last week, according to The New York Times.
The report said that their four-hour conversation centred on Armstrong's hopes that the USADA would consider reducing its ban.
It was the first meeting between Armstrong and Tygart since 2012.
Armstrong is seeking the reduction to allow him to compete in top-level triathlons and marathons, the Times report said.
Tygart has mandated Armstrong meet with the USADA to have any chance at reducing his ban, which covers all sports that adhere to the World Anti-Doping Agency code.
Despite Armstrong's public admission to using performance-enhancing drugs, his unwillingness to cooperate with the USADA investigators remain a hurdle in his path to a potential ban reduction.
Armstrong has previously refused to provide damning information on agents, team officials and other athletes still working in cycling that are guilty of doping-related offences.
In an interview with the Times, Tygart declined to confirm the meeting took place.
But he said he would be eager to begin the process of finding a role for Armstrong in the USADA's fight against doping.
“Our position has not changed,” Tygart said. “From the very beginning, our hope has always been that he would come in, sit down and have a full discussion."
The USADA is yet to comment officially.