The five cyclists named by banned cyclist Mark French have been cleared for
selection in the Athens Olympic Games team.
But there is behind-the-scenes debate about the ethics of one cyclist that
could still be the subject of further scrutiny.
Late last night the five cyclists were officially cleared by the latest
investigation, headed by the former WA Supreme Court judge Robert Anderson,
QC, who delivered a 380-page report after a week of intense questioning of
Australian Institute of Sport cyclists and officials.
Mr Anderson was specifically looking at the claims by French that five other
cyclists, Sean Eadie, Shane Kelly, Graeme Brown, Brett Lancaster and Jobie
Dajka, had injected what French believed were supplements in his institute
room, No. 121.
But it is believed that while legally the cyclists have been cleared, there
is confusion about whether all their nominations will be accepted by
Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates.
Coates has said he would need the cyclists to be "suitable persons" to
represent Australia, and that the onus was on the athletes to clear their
names before he would ratify their nominations for the Athens Olympics.
Coates cancelled a news conference that had been scheduled for today, and
could not be reached for comment last night.
But it is believed that in a round-table discussion at the Australian Sports
Commission board room in Canberra, the lawyers for the AOC, Cycling
Australia, and the Australian Sports Commission were happy that the five
cyclists were technically able to compete in Athens.
All were included a 25-strong team for the Games nominated by the board of
Cycling Australia two hours earlier, before the Anderson report was handed
down. Sources say that some parts of the Anderson report raise more
questions about the culture of the cycling program at the institute.
Mr Anderson had spent more than half an hour explaining the contents of his
report before leaving the lawyers to debate what to do.
Mr Anderson has been at pains to avoid impinging on the criminal
investigation that is under way by the SA police into the distribution of
the animal poison, equine growth hormone.
Thirteen vials of the hormone were found in room 121, which was occupied by
French last December. This week SA police raided the home of cyclist and
veterinarian John Katakasi, who is friendly with many of the institute
cyclists.
Mr Anderson was careful not to touch on this area with the cyclists, as his
inquiry had only a civilian status without any privilege and he did not want
to affect police activities.
Cycling Australia's Olympic team was announced on the provision that the
selections may "also be contingent on the outcome of the Anderson inquiry
and any appeals lodged against non-nomination".
Late night night there was a phone hook-up of Cycling Australia board
members, and the Australian Sports Commission was also considering its legal
position.
Mr Anderson has a second part of his inquiry to complete by October, that of
investigating the processes that were undertaken by the French case.