Wada Claims Uci ‘deceit’ Over Dropped Commission
The World Anti-Doping Agency has accused the International Cycling Union of being ‘deceitful’ following the decision to scrap its own Independent Commission, set up to investigate the doping scandal around Lance Armstrong.
The UCI now intends to replace its own inquiry with a Truth and Reconciliation process (TRC) – but Wada has denied claims by the governing body that it supports the new system.
The initial three-person commission, which included Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, had been established in response to a damning report from Usada into a decade of cheating by Armstrong and his US Postal Service Team.
Speaking on the latest development, Grey-Thompson commented: ‘I agreed to take part in the Independent Commission investigating accusations made against the UCI as I have always believed that good governance and a level playing field are essential for any sport.
‘Our efforts to ensure that is the case in cycling have been frustrated by a number of factors. It was evident early on that the lack of cooperation that the Independent Commission experienced from key stakeholders would make significant progress difficult and that a wider amnesty was necessary to give cycling a genuine chance for change. Having urged the UCI to engage in Truth & Reconciliation, I am glad that it now publicly acknowledges the need for such action.
‘However, I do not believe the creation of a Truth & Reconciliation process in itself answers the concerns that have been raised, especially as the process as it stands is still in its infancy and faces many obstacles before Truth & Reconciliation can take place. I also maintain that it is essential that the final process addresses the accusations against the UCI that the Independent Commission was first appointed to investigate, and which have now been placed indefinitely on hold.’
Wada and Usada had previously said they would not co-operate with the UCI’s inquiry, which had led the UCI to conclude that any report would be dismissed as ‘not being complete or credible’, although UCI chief Pat McQuaid claimed the new TRC had the full support of Wada president John Fahey – a statement Wada was quick to discredit.
Wada said in a statement: ‘This is not only wrong in content and process, but again deceitful. Wada has not and will not consider partaking in any venture with UCI while this unilateral and arrogant attitude continues.’
In response, McQuaid issued an angry reply to the Wada statement, which he described as blatant and aggressive misrepresentations, and the UCI published correspondence between the organisations.
Grey-Thompson, the multi-time Paralympic champion, added: ‘Confidence in the integrity of the UCI is vital for the sport of cycling. It is essential that they make full disclosure of all documentation and evidence to allow the sport to move on and regain its standing and reputation. My hope for cycling is that its key stakeholders can work together in a way that has not been the case in the past as they seek to make the necessary changes to the sport.’
