Spanish Sports Minister, Jose Ignacio Wert commented on Contador’s ban
Alberto Contador’s two-year ban from professional cycling not only disappointed a number of his fans across the country but has also ignited the controversy level related to the Sport in the Spain.
Spanish Sports Minister, Jose Ignacio Wert has taken the opportunity to comment on the sensitive issue on a public forum.
He admitted the fact, that doping is the biggest problem Spanish cycling is facing today.
Ignacio cited, "We have a problem with doping and that's why we have every intention of making sure Spain's anti-doping law conforms with WADA's anti-doping code".
Contador is considered as an icon of Spanish cycling and his ban from the sport has pointed a lot of fingers on the officials.
The cyclist was accused of using clenbuterol during the Tour de France 2010 to enhance his performance. The cyclist eventually won the event but the case was forwarded to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The cyclist repeatedly denied the allegations and stated that the substance entered his system because of the meat he consumed during the race.
However, the jury was convinced that Alberto cheated and handed him a two-year ban effective from the 2010 edition of the French Grand Tour.
The ban suggests that the Spaniard will miss most of the major cycling events in the 2012 season, mainly the Tour de France, Giro d’ Italia and the 2012 Olympic Games.
He has also been stripped off from all the victories since the Tour de France 2012. The ban also raised a lot of eye brows towards the credibility of the Spanish Sports as a whole.
The French television accused the Spanish tennis star, Rafael Nadal of doping which has resulted in a row between the two countries.
Spanish Tennis and Cycling federations are now suing the French television channel as reported by AP.
Nadal commented on the issue, "Spanish sport is characterized by sacrifice, humility and spirit of overcoming adversity that all athletes have. You can't accuse someone of something you have no proof of, even if it's humorous. France is obsessed with us".
Contador will return back to the professional scene at his home Grand Tour, Vuelta a Espana 2012 and is optimistic to leave his past behind and start the season from the scratch.
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