It’s been reported that the new commision (Cycling Independent Reform Commission) will be looking at the doping issues from 1998-2013, which includes the years of the Lance era.
But they may be more open to working with athletes, including Lance.
They can suggest reduced sanctions and they are intending to work with athletes to reduce penalties in return for valid information. They can work on a case by case basis and can reduce sentences already imposed if they feel it will result in good information.
They’re planning to investigate some of the allegations thrown at the UCI.
All testimony will be confidential and prize money will not be rescinded. They claim they take the confidential part seriously and will do what they can to insure that. “The investigation’s primary objective is not to punish anti-doping offences by single riders, but rather to identify and tackle the practices and networks that have instigated and/or facilitated doping in cycling over the relevant period,” the CIRC press release stated.
“The final objective of the investigation shall be the production of a comprehensive report illustrating the causes of, and responsibility for, the doping practices that took place within the relevant period and to make targeted recommendations to the whole cycling family.”
Dick Marty of Switzerland is a former state prosecutor and will be head of the commission. Ulrich Haas, anti-doping specialist, former Australian military officer Peter Nicholoson and Aurelie Merle, UN investigator and justice will round out the group.
“Today marks an important step in understanding the past and restoring the credibility of our sport,” UCI President Brian Cookson said in a press release.
“The Cycling Independent Reform Commission will not only help us learn from the past, but will also play an important role in shaping our future processes and practices. I committed to this process before I was elected in September 2013 and I’m pleased to see the CIRC fully operational only a few months later. It is essential that the Commission is left to get on with its investigation on a completely independent basis and I have ensured that all the structures are in place to allow this to happen.”
