He promised change. He has already kept his word. Brian Cookson, the new president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), did not wait to settle into his large armchair at the institution's headquarters, in the small Swiss town of Aigle, to shake up its habits . And, above all, change faces.
First strong sign: the appointment of three vice-presidents. Pat McQuaid, his predecessor, surrounded himself with a very European trio, with the Italian Renato Di Rocco, the Portuguese Artur Lopes and the Korean Cho Hee Wook. Brian Cookson immediately positioned himself as a more universal president. His three deputies represent as many continents: Europe, with the Frenchman David Lappartient, Africa, with the Egyptian Mohamed Wagih Azzam, and Oceania, with the Australian Tracey Gaudry.
Proof of a desire to further expand the frontiers of world cycling. And the demonstration of his taste for the established order. The three new vice-presidents of the UCI each occupy the head of a continental confederation: David Lappartient chairs the European Cycling Union, Mohamed Wagig Azzam that of the African Cycling Confederation, finally Tracey Gaudry heads the Oceanian Cycling Confederation .
Second sign: the appointment of a woman among this trio of vice-presidents. By entrusting responsibilities to Tracey Gaudry, Brian Cookson is concretizing his desire, written in black and white in his campaign program, to feminize cycling. He also announced the creation of a Women's Cycling Commission, intended to strengthen its structure and media coverage.
Finally, the English leader took advantage of his first hours as president, and the presence of a record number of media, to put an end to rumors saying he was tied hand and foot with the rich and influential Russian Igor Makarov. “There is no special relationship between me and Igor Makarov,” swore Brian Cookson. He is the President of an important federation and he was on the Steering Committee, so of course I know him. He is important in the world of cycling. But there is no arrangement, it has never influenced my positions…” That is what is said.
