Unnamed ‘senior Australian cycling figure’ implicated by Olympic silver medallist
Cycling Australia has urged former top rider Martin Vinnicombe to cooperate with an investigation into doping in cycling, responding to the 1988 Olympic kilo silver medallist’s assertions that a current high profile individual in the sport helped him receive an injection during his career.
The 47 year old made the claim this week to ABC’s 730 Report. “There are still people existing in cycling at the moment, in powerful positions, (who) at one point in their careers were exposed to doping and knew about doping methods,” he said then.
“It was known you'd have a sudden drop in blood pressure, therefore you needed someone there to assist you,” he said. “At that time [name bleeped out] was a person I trusted and thought he would assist me and he did so. He was present in the room.”
While the programme didn’t name the person concerned, it stated that he is now “a senior Australian cycling figure.”
Earlier this month it was announced that an in-depth review would be carried out into Cycling Australia’s operations. That was in response the Lance Armstrong/US Postal Service investigation and the admission by Stephen Hodge and Matt White that they had doped during their career.
Hodge was vice-president of Cycling Australia while White was professional men’s road coordinator for CA’s National Men's High Performance Program. He also had a senior role with Orica GreenEdge. Both lost their roles as a result.
Australian minister for Sport Kate Lundy has appointed the Hon James Wood AO QC, Chairman of the NSW Law Reform Commission, to review CA’s operations.
According to Lundy, the review is something which must happen in order to help the sport move on with confidence. “There have been serious implications for Australian cycling following the release of the explosive United States Anti-Doping Agency report confirming sophisticated doping programs infiltrated the sport at the elite level,” she said.
“In the wake of the resignation of the Australian officials involved in these doping programs, it is important for Cycling Australia and the thousands of competitive cyclists in Australia that we move quickly to ensure the confidence and trust of the Australian public is restored in cycling’s governing body.
Now CA has contacted Vinnicombe about his claims, encouraging him to co-operate with the investigation being carried out by Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) into Australian cycling.
It released a statement yesterday in relation to that. “Following allegations made by former track cyclist, Martin Vinnicombe, on ABC television's Four Corners program last Monday evening, Cycling Australia officials immediately made contact with Vinnicombe,” it said.
“Cycling Australia now encourages Vinnicombe to contact and cooperate with the Australian Sports Anti Doping Authority (ASADA) in the course of their current investigation into Australian cycling.”
While Vinnicombe has not publically stated the name of the substance in question, he has admitted to doping during his career and has implied the injection likely involved a banned product.
If his claim is substantiated, the unnamed official will likely be under considerable pressure.