Pat McQuaid defends UCI's anti-doping record
Pat McQuaid, president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), has hit back at recent criticism that doping is so widespread that it cannot be eliminated from the sport.
Doping in cycling has been discussed frequently in the press since the UCI revealed that Tour de France winner Alberto Contador tested positive for Clenbuterol last week, during which it was also announced that two riders tested positive for Hydroxyethyl
Starch at this year's Vuelta a Espana.
Ettore Torri, an Italian anti-doping investigator, has been among those who have criticised the state of modern cycling, saying that doping is so commonplace among cyclists that it will be impossible to get rid of.
Through a statement released to Italian media, McQuaid has responded to the criticism, defending the UCI's record on doping.
"At a time when cycling is paying a very high price for its determined and constant commitment in the fight against doping, the allegations by the CONI [Italian Olympic Committee] prosecutor Ettore Torri can only spark a reaction of profound disappointment
and dismay in all of those who practice and who love this sport," the statement said.
Pioneering efforts against doping
McQuaid, who has served as president of the body since 2005, added that the UCI has developed pioneering methods of combating doping.
"The effectiveness of the action taken by the UCI to combat this real problem—which is common to all sports—has been repeatedly recognised by the most important institutions in sport, including the International Olympic Committee and World Anti-Doping Agency,
who we co-operate with very closely."
In particular, the Irishman pointed to the introduction of biological passports, which keep track of an athlete's doping test record over time, and tests for EPO as proof that cycling is at the forefront in the fight against the use of performance-enhancing
drugs.
"If the complex anti-doping system in the world of sport today has reached its current levels of efficiency and reliability, it is thanks to the work done in cycling, which was the first sport to introduce a test for EPO and then the biological passport."
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