THREE-TIME TOUR de France champion Chris Froome has called for urgent reform of sport’s anti-doping laws to prevent abuse of therapeutic use exemptions.
Froome issued a statement on Tuesday morning as ethical questions continue to be asked of his former Team Sky team-mate Bradley Wiggins and the circumstances in which he was granted permission to use banned substances.
Both Froome and Wiggins had their medical data released as part of the ‘Fancy Bears’ hack of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s database.
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There is no suggestion that either cyclist broke anti-doping rules but the timing of Wiggins’ TUEs, coming on the eve of major races, has made headlines, with Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford insisting yesterday that the treatments were not performance-enhancing.
In a note entitled ‘My View’, Froome wrote: “I take my position in the sport very seriously and I know that I have to abide by the rules, but also go above and beyond that to set a good example both morally and ethically.
“It is clear that the TUE system is open to abuse and I believe that this is something that the UCI and WADA needs to urgently address. At the same time there are athletes who not only abide by the rules that are in place, but also those of fair play.
“I have never had a ‘win at all costs’ approach in this regard. I am not looking to push the boundaries of the rules. I believe that this is something that athletes need to take responsibility for themselves, until more stringent protocols can be put in place.”
'I have to set a good example, morally and ethically': Froome calls for urgent TUE reform
THREE-TIME TOUR de France champion Chris Froome has called for urgent reform of sport’s anti-doping laws to prevent abuse of therapeutic use exemptions.
Froome issued a statement on Tuesday morning as ethical questions continue to be asked of his former Team Sky team-mate Bradley Wiggins and the circumstances in which he was granted permission to use banned substances.
Both Froome and Wiggins had their medical data released as part of the ‘Fancy Bears’ hack of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s database.
There is no suggestion that either cyclist broke anti-doping rules but the timing of Wiggins’ TUEs, coming on the eve of major races, has made headlines, with Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford insisting yesterday that the treatments were not performance-enhancing.
In a note entitled ‘My View’, Froome wrote: “I take my position in the sport very seriously and I know that I have to abide by the rules, but also go above and beyond that to set a good example both morally and ethically.
“It is clear that the TUE system is open to abuse and I believe that this is something that the UCI and WADA needs to urgently address. At the same time there are athletes who not only abide by the rules that are in place, but also those of fair play.
“I have never had a ‘win at all costs’ approach in this regard. I am not looking to push the boundaries of the rules. I believe that this is something that athletes need to take responsibility for themselves, until more stringent protocols can be put in place.”
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‘I’m not in a position to say what athletes need TUEs, that’s up to their doctors’
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anti-doping Bradley Wiggins Chris Froome Cycling Dave Brailsford Doping Fancy Bears Team Sky