He had claimed sports could then have more events and more medals.

"Why not look at combat sports like judo, or other indoor sports like badminton?" Cookson, elected as President of the UCI last September, told the Press Association in an interview.

"You could even say what about putting track cycling in the Winter Olympics?"

That has drawn a sharp rebuke from Vizer, who has worked hard to safeguard judo's future on the Olympic programme since he was elected IJF President seven years ago.

"I have always admired British humour and I can say now that certainly, the UCI President is not lacking it," Vizer said.

UCI President Brian Cookson is "not lacking" humour says Marius Vizer, who does not appreciate his proposal that judo should be moved to the Winter Olympics ©Getty Images

As President of SportAccord, the umbrella organisation for both Olympic and non-Olympic international sports federations, Vizer is an increasingly influential figure in the Olympic Movement. 

So his criticism of Cookson is particularly damaging for the Briton. 

"I wish Mr Cookson good luck and I am available anytime to support him in better understanding the world sports movement and in avoiding press communications at times when he actually does not have any message to transmit," said Vizer.