Wada Commends Cycling Report
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has commended the Cycling Independent Reform Commission for its report, established by the UCI in January last year, and will now “examine in greater detail” as it works to support clean athletes.
The Commission recently completed its 13-month investigation – independent from the governing body – into the causes of the pattern of doping that developed within cycling, as well as allegations that implicate the UCI and other governing bodies and officials over ineffective investigation of such practices.
David Howman, the director general of WADA, commented: “The Commission should be commended for their extensive investigation into the historical problems relating to the sport of cycling and for the thoroughness of their report.”
“WADA will specifically examine the UCI’s past failures to apply Therapeutic Use Exemptions effectively, while addressing the need to enhance the process for allocating research funds, as well as working with the UCI to advance its own information gathering techniques to end doping in cycling.
“The report makes serious allegations that riders made payments to officials in order to avoid testing and/or analysis – a so called ‘anti-doping tax’,” Howman explained.
“The report also makes it clear that, under its previous leadership, the UCI prioritised the protection of the heroic image of cycling and of its star athletes such as Lance Armstrong, ahead of the protection of clean cyclists and the promotion of clean sport.
“At the time, the UCI leadership did not hesitate to deliberately conceal the truth and attack those who raised concern about doping within their sport, including WADA.
“WADA invested a great deal of time and resources defending itself against what have now been proven to be completely unfounded and unjustified attacks by the then UCI leadership.”
Howman also admitted WADA was “shocked” to read that the so called Vrijman Report, which the UCI had claimed to be independent, was in fact partially written with the assistance of Armstrong’s legal team.
“This also raises questions over the ethics and values in place at the highest levels of UCI governance at the time.”
WADA’s director general concluded: “Finally, WADA wishes to commend UCI’s current president, Brian Cookson, for his courage in opening up his organization, and the sport of cycling, to such a high level of independent and transparent scrutiny. I have confidence that many of the Reports’ findings will propel the sport to move beyond an unfortunate and disturbing time in its history.”
UCI president Brian Cookson will appear alongside World Rugby’s Brett Gosper in the first Sport Industry Breakfast Club, powered by CWM FX, of 2015. The pair will take the stage at The BT Centre on 17th March, for more information on how to join the club click here.
