Reforming the UCI

[Dilbert]

I think they should give Bob Stapleton a go as UCI President. He comes across as hard nosed businessman who is passionate about cycling, but would not need the job, either for money or to make him feel important so would be much less likely to go native.

 

[Scoosh]

Until they change the process for electing the president of the UCI, there will be little change, I fear.

Too many vested interests/ hangers on/ spongers, IMHO. Now, why does that remind me of the IOC ???

 

[johnr]

Until they change the process for electing the president of the UCI, there will be little change, I fear.

Too many vested interests/ hangers on/ spongers, IMHO. Now, why does that remind me of the IOC ???

You're right, of course, but I think we're getting (hope we're getting) to a stage where powers above and around the UCI will be demanding reform and will be looking for demonstrably clean, competent, honest and professional people to take the reins. If the current shower can identify such people from among their ranks, that may be acceptable, otherwise, ultimata may be issued.

Writing this, even I think it sounds a little fanciful, but things are moving quickly. I have no expectation that UCI's announcement on Monday will do anything to restore confidence in the leadership. And who knows what the state of play will be this time next week: PM and HV may be denying they ever had any presidential role!

 

[laurence]

Until they change the process for electing the president of the UCI, there will be little change, I fear.

Too many vested interests/ hangers on/ spongers, IMHO. Now, why does that remind me of the IOC ???

same as the FIA and formula 1. probably the same with a majority of sports. i doubt there's a non-corrupt one. the problem is, they are better at covering up their mess... cycling can be too open at times. i bet tennis, football, athletics, etc. are loving the fact their drug problems are ignored whilst cycling airs its dirty laundry.

i love the sport and i am proud of the steps taken to expose the drugs. the non cycling fan will see it differently though and the sports that whitewash their problems will be seen as cleaner.

 

[BJH]

Having given this one some thought, I have the following suggestion.

One of those rocking drinking bird toys that you stick on the end of a glass.

Failing that lets just leave a drunken chimp operating the controls with power being generated by a hamster on a wheel. They won't have any secret bank accounts that need filling

 

[oldroadman]

There's been some comment about action the IOC might take if the UCI are found corrupt. Glass houses and stones spring to mind. IOC looks like a long line of things filled with brown liquid running on rails. A gravy train. Remember to get on if it stops at your station, you'll never regret it, or be skint again, or need to worry about the cost of travel (first class), etc.....

 

[thom]

In the wake of the USADA report, Daley Thompson calls for Cycling to be ejected from the Olympic games.
One thing he definitely has right:

'Armstrong is a cheating b*****d and that's all there is to it,'​

 

[Flying_Monkey]

So... any more suggestions now the UCI has accepted the USADA findings?

 

[thom]

So... any more suggestions now the UCI has accepted the USADA findings?

Dignitas ?

 

[tigger]

They're beyond reform. "We're not as rich as FIFA (so we can be bought by anyone's cash)". The pro teams and fans need to breakaway and start afresh. Now how the hell does anyone do that?

In some ways I don't think Thompson's idea is so crazy. The UCI needs to face some sanctions. Who is the UCI's governing body? Where is their power devolved from?

 

[thom]

They're beyond reform. "We're not as rich as FIFA (so we can be bought by anyone's cash)". The pro teams and fans need to breakaway and start afresh. Now how the hell does anyone do that?

In some ways I don't think Thompson's idea is so crazy. The UCI needs to face some sanctions. Who is the UCI's governing body? Where is their power devolved from?

Yes I can see the logic and I think the threat should be there but...
I do think the UCI are further down the road regarding doping than a lot of other sports. Which is not to defend a lot of their behaviour but if there is talk of expelling cycling as an Olympic sport then there needs to be better examination of all other sports first.

 

[Flying_Monkey]

McQuaid shows that he still doesn't quite get it and says that there was nothing wrong with accepting donations from Armstrong, and that he would accept donations from riders in future - surely, any official dues aside, there should simply be no accepting of any individual donations from riders to organisations that are supposed to manage them. It's a recipe for corruption.

 

[rich p]

I don't see how it will be reformed if there's no willingness by the national committees and their representatives to do so. Nothing I've read has suggested that's likely to happen. Pressure from the IOC may be possible but it still requires Fat Pat to fall on his sword. I've read elsewhere that his likely challenger/successor is Andre Tchmil.
At the very least they should get together and dump Verbruggen from any and all committees.

 

[beastie]

If the UCI doesn't reform or evolve, what then? @Oldroadman pointed out the risks of busting Fat Pat and replacing him with an oligarch, well if he is right then a breakaway by the Pro teams in line with ASO seems far more attractive. This must surely be a likely strategy with which to force change upon the UCI.

As an addition, is it correct that there is only one female delegate at the UCI? (out of 41)

 

[Flying_Monkey]

As an addition, is it correct that there is only one female delegate at the UCI? (out of 41)

I'm surprised there is even one.