Cycling: Doping Aussies urged to come forward

“The days of protecting people who are in the wrong are over,” says Andruska.

SYDNEY: Australia’s sports anti-doping body urged cyclists who took drugs come forward, saying ‘the days of remaining silent are over’ in the wake of the Lance Armstrong scandal. The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) began investigations after its US counterpart accused Armstrong of helping orchestrate the most sophisticated doping programme in the history of the sport. ASADA Chief Executive Aurora Andruska said some cyclists had already come forward and she urged others to follow suit before they were accused of doping. “The days of remaining silent are over,” said Andruska. “The days of protecting people who are in the wrong are over.” Armstrong has consistently denied taking performance-enhancing drugs but the US rider has been stripped of his seven Tour De France titles. Since the scandal broke, two senior Australian cycling figures have admitted to doping during their sporting careers and resigned from their positions with Cycling Australia.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2012.