POUND SAYS ONLY ONE CANDIDATE FOR NEXT WADA PRESIDENCY
The second day of the World Congress on Doping in Sport was dominated by the question - or perhaps a better description would be 'complete confusion' - over who will succeed Dick Pound as head of the World Anti-Doping Agency [WADA] when he steps down at the end of 2007.
Initially, when the Congress started on Wednesday, there was one candidate standing for the post - former Australian Finance Minister John Fahey, who was nominated after Jean-Francois Lamour, the previous candidate, had pulled out earlier this autumn.
Then on Friday afternoon a former French sports minister Guy Drut was reported as saying that he too, would be a candidate for Pound's job in 2008.
So far, so good, except that in a late development on Friday evening, Drut's claim was dismissed by Pound himself as not being permitted by the rules.
"There is only one remaining candidate. There is no possibility of re-opening the case," Pound said categorically, before criticising un-named European nations who had backed Drut's last-minute appeal, for "behaving improperly."
The ensuing confusion will only be resolved on Saturday, when Pound predicted closed-door discussions over the issue "may be emotional." Secret ballot elections then follow. There is also no possibility of an interim president whilst all the fuss dies down.
In contrast, the other main business of the day - the discussion of amendments to the WADA Ethics Code - took place with no dramatic developments.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The vast majority of the amendments are expected to be approved on Saturday morning, although proposed changes to the whereabouts procedure - which Michael Rasmussen fell foul of this summer - are not now going to be given the green light until next May. Just who will be president of WADA then remains slightly less clear.
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
Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.
-
Remco Evenepoel goes on first outdoor ride since horror crash, hints at Tour de France on Strava
'On my way back' says the Belgian, as he builds back up to Tour de France form with almost-100km ride
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Four weeks after breaking arm, Lizzie Deignan set to start La Vuelta Femenina
British rider to line up at eight-stage race on Sunday, less than a month on from crash at Tour of Flanders
By Adam Becket Published