Having already revealed plans for an independent anti-doping unit, the Briton (pictured top) is promising to introduce a new approach to anti-doping should he be elected to head world cycling's governing body at the UCI Congress in Florence on September 27.

"In my election manifesto launched last month, I outlined plans to establish a completely Independent Anti Doping Unit that would be physically and politically separate from the UCI," Cookson said.

"It would report to a board totally independent of the UCI in full cooperation with WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency).

"This is the cornerstone of my strategy to more effectively tackle doping in cycling and start the process of rebuilding trust in our sport.

"However, in light of the continuing issues arising from the [Lance] Armstrong era and cycling's ongoing credibility problem, more can and must be done."


As part of his vision, Cookson claims he will "put an end to the UCI's public feuding with anti-doping bodies such as WADA and USADA (United States Anti-Doping Agency)" and warns that changes are a matter of urgency.

"It is absurd that a sport that has suffered so much from doping has been in open conflict with the very people it should be working in partnership with," he said.

"It is critical that the UCI develops an open, co-operative working relationships with WADA and the National Anti Doping Organisations.

"This is crucial if cycling's war against doping is to succeed."

As well as suggesting the introduction of team compliance officers, a fit and proper person's test, anti-doping education programmes and greater transparency, Cookson promises to carry out a fully independent investigation into doping in cycling to "deal once and for all with the past".

He highlights incentives, such as amnesties and reduced sanctions, to encourage "those involved" to come forward.

"We must learn from the past," Cookson declared.

"I will implement a fully independent investigation into doping in cycling so we can deal once and for all with the past, with amnesties/reductions in sanctions to encourage all those involved to come forward.

"This will require agreement with WADA on its terms of reference and the appropriate amnesty provisions to properly incentivise those involved to come forward, but it must be done.

"The brief of the investigation should include the uncovering of any UCI corruption and collusion, and understand what factors led to the culture of doping."


Finally, Cookson says he supports four-year bans for dopers, and aims to pursue doping enablers as well as riders.

"I fully support longer bans for those found guilty of doping and welcome WADA's new four year bans that will come into force from 2015," he said.

"It is important that these sanctions are not just placed on riders found guilty, but also on those who enable doping to take place, such as managers, team staff and doctors.

"The UCI needs to put real effort into catching those who facilitate doping and champion whistleblowers, not denigrate them."

Concluding, Cookson said: "Taken together, these anti doping measures can set a new path for the UCI and help to rebuild trust in our athletes and our sport.

"If we fail to embrace change, our sport will continue to be damaged by on-going innuendo, rumour and a fundamental lack of trust.

"The UCI must act decisively and show genuine leadership to support a new culture of anti doping."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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