WADA chief hopes cycling seizes chance

World Anti-Doping Agency chief executive David Howman hopes the independent commission established to investigate cycling’s darkest days will lead to him fielding fewer questions on the use of performance-enhancing drugs in the sport.

UCI president Brian Cookson has established a Cycling Independent Reform Commission tasked with discovering the full extent of the historical doping problems the sport has faced, including whether the world governing body was complicit in covering up drug cheats, as Lance Armstrong has alleged.

All allegations of wrongdoing are denied by former UCI presidents Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid, who both are yet to decide whether to voluntarily attend the CIRC, fearing a personal witch hunt.

Whether Verbruggen, McQuaid and Armstrong – battling numerous legal challenges in the United States – provide evidence to the CIRC would have a great bearing on its success as Cookson attempts to draw a line and move on from the haunting past.

“We all know that WADA was set up in ’99 because of that sport,” said Howman, who was speaking at the Tackling Doping in Sport conference at Wembley Stadium.

“And I would like to get to a situation where I came to press conferences and didn’t have cycling as the number one topic. I think that sums it up.

“I’m sure cycling doesn’t want to be the number one topic. So here’s an opportunity for it to be put down the batting order.

“Shouldn’t it be seized? Certainly, we see it as something that should be seized.”