The International Cycling Union (UCI) took another big step in the fight against doping, as it approved a new regulation forbidding convicted dopers from being able to work in team management in the future. It was one of the actions taken at the last day of the UCI's Management Committee meeting in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
The Committee "approved the introduction of a new article in the regulations (1.1.006.2) aiming to prevent anyone found guilty of infringing the Anti-Doping Regulation during his cycling career from obtaining a license authorizing him to take on a role in cycling as a member of a team’s staff," according to the UCI's press release.
"This measure – which will most certainly be very important in the medium term to guarantee an increasingly healthy movement for future generations – will come into effect on July 1st; it will not be applied retrospectively."
Did the UCI finally do something right? I believe they did. Hurting a rider financially for a couple of years for a first offense and then banning them for life for subsequent indiscretions ends their riding career but currently didn't prevent an established rider from continuing their career in cycling with Pro riders in a management or coaching role. Given that a career in management often lasts longer than a career in the saddle this could be financially much worse and could be the ultimate deterrent. "Could be" being the operative phrase.
A step in the right direction.
It would have been nice if the new rule prevented a convicted rider from working with any athlete within the sport at any level, in either a coaching or management position, who is registered with any Federation affiliated with the UCI.
don't you think, though, that this will merely raise the stakes higher for lengthy appeals and trips to the various national courts when a rider takes legal action against what is an attack on their ability to earn a living?
I don't think that'll happen. The younger riders could already claim that without having to plead that without a management gig they'd be out of work for a long time and possible seeking a new career.
The "poor bleeding me" factor needs to be taken out of the equation. Did you dope? Yes/No, case closed thankyou and goodnight. Next.
The whole system regarding positive drugs tests needs an overhaul and the decision making process needs to happen in a matter of a month or two in the case of an appeal or within a week or so of a notification if no appeal is formally requested.
seems that the riders will always seek remedy through the courts. given the news out of spain (not bringing up how the spanish keep thumbing their noses at the authority and final say of the various sporting federations) that heras can reclaim his vuelta title (good luck with that, berto!), how a federation can enforce a ban from participating in the profession without some sort of franchise or country club exclusivity clauses to get them around the various national court systems will be a trick.
