“We all agree that this must be open, transparent and independent in order to advance matters”
Speaking after the first month of Brian Cookson’s presidency, the World Anti Doping Agency has confirmed that things have been harmonious with the new UCI chief and the governing body since he took over from Pat McQuaid.
Relations between the agency and the UCI have been tense at times in the past, with first Hein Verbruggen and then McQuaid having a number of spats with WADA.
Things reached a head during the Lance Armstrong investigation and its aftermath, with WADA walking away from the Independent Commission due to frustration with the UCI’s position on a number of matters, including its refusal to grant an amnesty to the witnesses who had information about doping in the sport.
However since Cookson defeated McQuaid 24 votes to 18 in the UCI presidential election on September 27th, things have been considerably smoother.
“WADA has had a positive relationship with the UCI since the election of a new President, and looks forward to continuing this in the years ahead,” WADA’s communications manager Ben Nichols told VeloNation today, responding to questions on the subject.
The UCI management committee held an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday and there agreed what was described as the broad principles under which it will move forward and establish a new Independent Commission.
This will look into claims of past wrongdoing at the UCI plus the extent of the doping problem in the sport. It takes over the task of the previous commission, which was announced by McQuaid last October but then shelved in January.
The UCI stated on Tuesday that discussions will continue with various stakeholders in order to draw up the framework of the new Commission.
WADA confirmed that dialogue had taken place between the agency and the UCI, and that they are working towards the investigation which will take place.
“President Cookson and his team have spoken to WADA in relation to an Independent Commission,” said Nichols. “We all agree that this must be open, transparent and independent in order to advance matters, including those which were raised in the Reasoned Decision in the Armstrong case.”
Cookson and others hope that the audit will get to the truth of what happened in the past, while also enabling the UCI and the sport itself to finally move on from it.
The UCI also stated on Tuesday that it was continuing to work towards a new and fully independent anti-doping body.