Kazakh Winter Olympic bid defends Vinokourov's ambassador role
Kazakhstan capital Almaty is bidding against Beijing to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games and Alexander Vinokourov has been named an ambassador
The organising committee of Almaty’s 2022 Winter Olympics bid has defended the appointment of Alexander Vinokourov as an ambassador.
Vinokourov served a two-year ban after being caught blood doping at the 2007 Tour de France and is now the general manager at Astana, who, themselves, have been embroiled in several drugs scandals in recent months.
Olympic news website insidethegames reports that the 2012 Olympic road race champion is yet to play any formal role in the Kazakh capital’s bid.
And when the website contacted the bid’s vice-chairman, Andrey Kryukov, he reportedly insisted that “there is no evidence he is currently involved in doping” and they “do not see any negative impact on his involvement in the bid”.
Almaty is locked in a two-horse race to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games, with Beijing the only other city to formally submit a bid.
While cycling is not part of the Winter Olympics, UCI president Brian Cookson discussed the possibility of moving track cycling to the winter Games if it means more events could be included. Cookson is also backing the inclusion of cyclo-cross in future Winter Olympics.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
We rode and reviewed the Ouray, Parlee Cycles' first new bike model since facing bankruptcy
The storied American brand continues with a Portugal-made carbon steed that goes zoom but doesn’t fit like a race bike
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Miguel Ángel López takes Astana to court over ‘unlawful’ breach of contract
The Colombian was dismissed by Astana Qazaqstan in December, and is now seeking damages
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish signs for Astana-Qazaqstan and will remain on the WorldTour for 2023
The transfer saga is over, Mark Cavendish has officially found a team, and will chase the Tour de France stage win record
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Is Mark Cavendish heading to Astana?
The Manx Missile has been heavily linked to Astana since the departure of their GC rider Miguel Ángel López
By Adam Hart Published
-
Astana Qazaqstan drops Miguel Ángel López over 'probable' doping case links
The 28-year-old had extended his contract last month
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Public prosecutor's office opens judicial investigation into Astana Qazaqstan's license holder
Abacanto SA has held the WorldTour team's license since 2010, but is being charged with violations of the Luxembourg criminal code
By Ryan Dabbs Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali will not ride Paris-Roubaix in order to focus on the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France
Italian says it would have been "really cool" to ride all five monuments but it wasn't "possible"
By Adam Becket Published
-
Astana release new rap video starring Vincenzo Nibali and Alexander Vinokourov
Kazakh team have history of strange social media posts, but this one is quite something
By Adam Becket Published
-
Which WorldTour team has the best kit for 2022? We take a look through the wardrobe
Now almost all the kits are out, here are our measured ratings of racing kit ahead of the 2022 season
By Adam Becket Published