UCI has one 'last chance to prove its credibility'

[Mrs John Murphy]

What cycling needs is someone who wants to clean up cycling, not someone trying to advance their political career.

 

[Tinman]

What cycling needs is someone who wants to clean up cycling, not someone trying to advance their political career.

Didn't know he was ambitious for a political career.

It may take a fair degree of politics to clean up cycling.

 

[Carols]

'John Coates will recommend three individuals to sit on the panel. The first, and its chair, will be a respected senior lawyer; the second will be a forensic accountant, who will be recommended by the chair; and, the third will be an experienced sports administrator. All three members will be independent of cycling.'


Sounds good; no cycling Insiders


'Who is John Coates?

As well as being a lawyer and long term administrator in sport, Coates is a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and is the current president of the Australian Olympic Committee and chairman of the Australian Olympic Foundation.

Earlier this month ABC News reported that Coates wanted athletes to sign a statutory declaration saying they have no doping history if they wished to compete at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Such a measure would be in line with Sky's and ORICA GreenEdge's 'zero tolerance' stance to doping and throws into question the possibility of a 'truth and reconciliation' process within cycling.

"If they don't sign, they don't go to the Games, they won't be selected," Coates said.'


Sounds like he is Serious! I think this is the best we could have hoped for!!!

 

[Tinman]

'Who is John Coates?

Sounds like he is Serious! I think this is the best we could have hoped for!!!

Maybe, we certainly want to believe and hope... But then...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/c...-words-confirm-scale-corruption-Olympics.html

 

[Tinman]

UCI launches stakeholder consultation process....

http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/1...nsultation-to-help-boost-cyclings-future.aspx

would be better after Pat & Hein are gone. #zerocredleft

 

[DirtyWorks]

Coates is Tainted

This is the first step of a Vrijman ending.

Coates is a perennial IOC politician. He landed the Sydney games in 2000 with bribes. Apparently, he is the lead bid-maker for several sports. John, what were the FIFA bribes for an Australian World Cup?

In response to an obvious attempt to even mention the fact the IOC has a monopoly on some sports in the Independent Sports Panel Report, Coates attempts to discredit everything about the report

http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-olympic-monopoly-and-why-it-harms-sport-20091119-iowz.html

A concise summary of the Crawford Report is that chasing the Olympics is not as beneficial as promoting nationwide participation in sports. The benefits of a healthier human population are many. But, that view harms the IOC. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...tunities-at-risk/story-e6frg9ix-1225799659926

More anti-doping theater.

 

[Dear Wiggo]

I would love to be proven wrong, but an IOC member seems like the worst person to deal with problems in an IOC sport.

 

[DirtyWorks]

I would love to be proven wrong, but an IOC member seems like the worst person to deal with problems in an IOC sport.

Not if you are the IOC. It's meets their goal of being anti-doping controversy!

 

[Tinman]

So will UCI stay in Switzerland?

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/07/swiss-sport-corruption-idUSL5E8M7CC620121107

 

[Velodude]

This is the first step of a Vrijman ending.

Coates is a perennial IOC politician. He landed the Sydney games in 2000 with bribes. Apparently, he is the lead bid-maker for several sports. John, what were the FIFA bribes for an Australian World Cup?

In response to an obvious attempt to even mention the fact the IOC has a monopoly on some sports in the Independent Sports Panel Report, Coates attempts to discredit everything about the report.

http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-olympic-monopoly-and-why-it-harms-sport-20091119-iowz.html

A concise summary of the Crawford Report is that chasing the Olympics is not as beneficial as promoting nationwide participation in sports. The benefits of a healthier human population are many. But, that view harms the IOC. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/bus...tunities-at-risk/story-e6frg9ix-1225799659926

More anti-doping theater.

Forget Coates' CAS credentials. Coates is a long term member of the IOC.

He sits as an IOC member with Patrick McQuaid and Hein Verbruggen (in his long IOC history as member then honorary member).

Just this association creates an apprehension of bias which should have eliminated Coates for consideration to select a body to investigate the UCI's conduct.

Coates sport is rowing. He was a coxswain, coach and administrator.

Just before the 2004 Athens Games Coates allegedly leaked confidential information to a politician on an enquiry presided over by a judge into 5 cyclists who had previously been accused in a CAS Hearing by the respondent, Mark French.

The politician then used parliamentary privilege to condemn these cyclists.

http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2004/s1135541.htm

Without due process Coates claimed the 5 cyclists should not have been considered for selection. The enquiry cleared the cyclists.

Coates has been no friend to Australian cycling. This could relate to taxpayer funding where the most successful sports receive preferential funding.

Australian cycling had an extraordinarily successful 2004 OG. Coates was caught in embarrassing moments when he was the IOC member who presented the medals to a cycling event won by Australia.

 

[thehog]

Pound of flesh.

Asked if Coates and Verbruggen's positions on the IOC were an issue, Pound said:

"Well, it's troubling. What you hope is that everyone stands back. It would be more troubling if another IOC member was sitting on the commission. Then people would say it was the gang working for each other. I think you're likely to see a judge or lawyer preside over the commission, and then a forensic accountant and there are no forensic accountants at the IOC. The real proof in the pudding will be how the Commission define their mandate because I really think cycling has to take a look at more than just Lance Armstrong. It's a problem that's endemic in the sport and they're teetering on the edge of a total lack of credibility. So they have to make sure that the commission has full power to investigation and obtain evidence that would go into and thorough and full report."

Another area of interest could be Coates' past. As well as his positions at the IOC and ICAS, he is also Australian Olympic Committee and chairman of the Australian Olympic Foundation. He also led the successful Sydney Olympic Games bid but in 1999, it came to light that he had made two donations of $70,000 to two IOC delegates in order to obtain their voting support. At around the same time, Pound led an investigation into the Salk Lake city winter Olympic bid. The Sydney bid beat Beijing to the 2000 Games by two votes. Coates denied that his actions amounted to bribery.

"He acknowledged that he made some payments to a couple of the African members of the IOC. There was not particular fallout from the report other than the Kenyan resigned. The other, he was able to establish that the money went into a foundation that supported sport in Uganda."

"I think he's a very bright guy and he's done well by Australian sport. He was asked by the UCI, wearing his hat as the president of the Court of Arbitration for Sport if he might suggest some people to them, who could be asked to undertake the investigation they promised they would launch. He's not involved more than that."

 

[Dr. Maserati]

Pound of flesh.

Link?

Ok, I see it's from the front page of CN - could you link to things please, the quoted looked odd out of context.

 

[Velodude]

CyclingNews November 7, 2012

The sport's governing body has invited the President of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) to recommend the three panelists that will make up the Independent Commission. The Commission will look at the serious allegations and behaviour of the UCI during the Lance Armstrong era. The UCI faced several allegations which included covering up a positive test and bribery after accepting several donations from Armstrong.

John Coates will recommend three individuals to sit on the panel. The first, and its chair, will be a respected senior lawyer; the second will be a forensic accountant, who will be recommended by the chair; and, the third will be an experienced sports administrator. All three members will be independent of cycling.

In a press release issued on Wednesday the UCI stated: “The UCI has drawn up draft terms of reference which addresses the main issues raised by the USADA report into Lance Armstrong.

“The purpose of this independent commission is to look into the findings of the USADA report and ultimately to make conclusions and recommendations that will enable the UCI to restore confidence in the sport of cycling and in the UCI as its governing body.”

UCI are already playing games.

The USADA report is knowingly incomplete due to the upcoming tribunal hearings of Bruyneel and others.

UCI make reference to only serious allegations. Here they can cherry pick.

Of relative importance relating to UCI governance. UCI decisions being influenced by a person, Verbruggen, who has no legal standing to be involved in UCI decision making.

Lance Armstrong era is 1999-2010. This conveniently rules out the Japanese kieran bribe funds of $3m under the control of Verbruggen that allegedly have not been accounted to the UCI.

Wiki - Verbruggen:
In July 2008, a BBC investigation found documents indicating that over three million dollars were paid by Japanese race organizers as reimbursements for UCI expenses during Verbruggen's tenure as president, including five flights to the Netherlands for Verbruggen personally in 1999.[8] The investigation cited sources within the UCI who confirmed that the repayments were "explicitly a payback for getting keirin into the Games". Verbruggen denied any wrongdoing, and the UCI ignored BBC requests for clarification.

 

[Benotti69]

David Walsh ‏@DavidWalshST

Recall what Emile Vrijman said when asked why he was chosen "independent investigator" by UCI to look at '05 story of LA and EPO in 99 Tour.

He said he got the job because he and Hein Verbruggen were good friends and his report would be dismissed by WADA and IOC as unprofessional.

Well, someone should ask the latest "independent commissioner" appointed by UCI, John Coates, if he's a friend of Hein's? Of course he is.

Let's hope the Swiss police take away the need for this so called 'independent' investigation to run its course.

 

[dadane]

Earlier this month ABC News reported that Coates wanted athletes to sign a statutory declaration saying they have no doping history if they wished to compete at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016. Such a measure would be in line with Sky's and ORICA GreenEdge's 'zero tolerance' stance to doping and throws into question the possibility of a 'truth and reconciliation' process within cycling.

"If they don't sign, they don't go to the Games, they won't be selected," Coates said.'

The interesting part about this apparent whitewash is any athlete who signs and has got history is 'covering up'. Therefore, they are signing away their SOL protection, certainly for the preceding 8 years from WADAs point of view, and presumably there would be a waiver in the declaration to extend this ad infinitum for anything falling under the IOCs purview.

 

[dadane]

UCI are already playing games.

The USADA report is knowingly incomplete due to the upcoming tribunal hearings of Bruyneel and others.

UCI make reference to only serious allegations. Here they can cherry pick.

Of relative importance relating to UCI governance. UCI decisions being influenced by a person, Verbruggen, who has no legal standing to be involved in UCI decision making.

Lance Armstrong era is 1999-2010. This conveniently rules out the Japanese kieran bribe funds of $3m under the control of Verbruggen that allegedly have not been accounted to the UCI.

Were any specific details of the terms of reference agreed at the UCI GM? I don't recall seeing any. The idea discussed was a wide-ranging investigation into corruption within the UCI, but what phrasology was actually used and documented when the investigation was agreed to at the meeting? This could be checkmate already.

 

[Velodude]

Were any specific details of the terms of reference agreed at the UCI GM? I don't recall seeing any. The idea discussed was a wide-ranging investigation into corruption within the UCI, but what phrasology was actually used and documented when the investigation was agreed to at the meeting? This could be checkmate already.

The terms of reference, as intimated by McQuaid, are to be established by Coates (a friend of Verbruggen) and his three "independent" nominees but within the parameters of the USADA reasoned decision.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/ot...-investigate-International-Cycling-Union.html

John Coates, the ICAS president and chairman of the Australian Olympic Council, has been confirmed as the man who will select the three-man Independent Commission to investigate allegations against the UCI regarding the Lance Armstrong affair and the running of cycling by its governing body in general.

Coates has agreed to select the panel which will be chaired by a senior lawyer of international standing and also consist of a forensic accountant to look into allegations of illegal payments by Armstrong and a senior sports administrator. All three will be free of any cycling connections.

The UCI are understood to have started contacting Coates' nominees and intend to announce the panel as soon as possible with original time-frame from the UCI Management Board meeting on Oct 26 suggesting that the Commission members be confirmed by the end of this week. Coates and his nominees will also decide the final terms of reference for the commission.

“We would like to thank John Coates for his recommendations, which we will follow to the letter," said UCI president Pat McQuaid this morning. “The purpose of this independent commission is to look into the findings of the USADA report and ultimately to make conclusions and recommendations that will enable the UCI to restore confidence in the sport of cycling and in the UCI as its governing body.”

“Cycling is one of the world’s most popular sports, both for participants and spectators and it has a bright future. Those who will define that future can be found among the current generation of riders who have chosen to prove that you can compete and win clean.”

 

[Dr. Maserati]

The terms of reference, as intimated by McQuaid, are to be established by Coates (a friend of Verbruggen) and his three "independent" nominees but within the parameters of the USADA reasoned decision.

Interesting, isn't it.

It doesnt quite seem to be as encompassing as what was discussed at the Management Committe - here is a part of a statement from Brian Cookson, on the British Cycling website:

The UCI, in particular its former President Hein Verbruggen and its current President Pat McQuaid have received considerable criticism of their handling of these matters. Certain serious allegations have been made which have caused widespread concern. I am pleased that, at its meeting last week, the UCI Management Committee agreed to an independent review of all matters relevant to the current crisis, including those allegations. I understand that both of them will fully co-operate with that review.

The Management Committee agreed that the review should include a clear and transparent independent examination of all the UCI’s regulations and procedures, particularly those relevant to doping and the handling of disciplinary action. This review can and will include all matters which the review Commission itself may consider to have an impact on the current crisis, including the length of suspensions and other sanctions available for such offences. This review will also consider the possibility of amnesty, partial amnesty, truth and reconciliation processes, and any similar matters.

 

[dadane]

Exactly. At what point did...

"We are looking at a commission of three to investigate everything and anything that needs looking at and, in fact, once those three are appointed they will be invited to draw up their own terms of reference. Nothing will be off limits."

get turned into...

“The purpose of this independent commission is to look into the findings of the USADA report..."

and how was it done without any protest from the UCI members who forced this to the table in the first place?

 

[D-Queued]

Exactly. At what point did...

"We are looking at a commission of three to investigate everything and anything that needs looking at and, in fact, once those three are appointed they will be invited to draw up their own terms of reference. Nothing will be off limits."

get turned into...

“The purpose of this independent commission is to look into the findings of the USADA report..."

and how was it done without any protest from the UCI members who forced this to the table in the first place?

Bingo.

Dave.

 

[thirteen]

UCI letter: New anti-doping hotline

Today UCI President, Pat McQuaid, sent out a letter to all the professional riders urging them to use a new "confidential hotline" should the rider witness any doping abuse.

"We need to do more to ensure that the UCI is as accessible as possible, and in particular to you the riders, should you wish to discuss issues or concerns relating to doping", Pat McQuaid writes in the letter.

In the past I've talk with many riders stating they would never 'rat out' any team mates if they saw them using illegal drugs but hopefully thing have really changed now. Cycling is once again being seen as the 'dope sport' by the public, but according to Pat McQuaid we can all "be assured that cycling will find a new path forward". I hope that he (for once) is right.

You can read the whole letter from Pat McQuaid here:

 

[Velodude]

UCI letter: New anti-doping hotline

One circus has just concluded. Now we have the re-elect me (Pat McQuaid) 10 month PR circus.

Tink (thats how Irishman Pat pronounces) I prefer to purchase the t-shirt.

 

[D-Queued]

UCI letter: New anti-doping hotline

Today UCI President, Pat McQuaid, sent out a letter to all the professional riders urging them to use a new "confidential hotline" should the rider witness any doping abuse.

"We need to do more to ensure that the UCI is as accessible as possible, and in particular to you the riders, should you wish to discuss issues or concerns relating to doping", Pat McQuaid writes in the letter.

In the past I've talk with many riders stating they would never 'rat out' any team mates if they saw them using illegal drugs but hopefully thing have really changed now. Cycling is once again being seen as the 'dope sport' by the public, but according to Pat McQuaid we can all "be assured that cycling will find a new path forward". I hope that he (for once) is right.

You can read the whole letter from Pat McQuaid here:

Gimme a freakin break.

Does it ring through to Pat or Hein?

Only a fool would call a UCI hotline.

Isn't WADA already there for this?

Dave.

 

[Mrs John Murphy]

Sounds like the cones hotline

Or that time that the UCI asked all the riders to sign an anti-doping pledge.

I suppose the idea is that Pat can now find out who is about to break omerta and can denounce them before they speak in the press. (And arrange a positive test or two)

 

[Benotti69]

Bruyneel got a job answering the phone.

A journalist should ring it pretending to be some rider

Come on Benson ring the hotline!!!!