From Beijing where he is traveling, the new President of the UCI made his first statement to the press. Two weeks after his election, he said he was “convinced of having made a good start”.
“In Florence, the cycling family showed their desire for change. Not just by choosing me as President, but by electing three excellent vice-presidents, including the first woman to hold this position, as well as a high-quality Steering Committee. We immediately got to work.
We have appointed most of the Commission Presidents and I am delighted to welcome them to their new roles (see the UCI website for more information).
We have started a dialogue at the highest level with WADA to explore how we will proceed to independently shed light on the UCI's past. We have also established contacts with other important stakeholders, such as USADA, other national anti-doping organizations, as well as the French Ministry of Sports. Earlier in the week, I called Paul Kimmage to tell him that the UCI had withdrawn its complaint.
We also confirmed the decision to repeal the age limit of 28 years which prevailed for UCI women's teams and the creation of a Women's Commission with the aim of encouraging the development of high-level women's cycling.
In the coming weeks, I intend to meet my colleagues and friends from the Olympic movement, including the new IOC President Thomas Bach and the President of Rio 2016, Carlos Nuzman. Last week in Switzerland, I met Andrew Ryan, Executive Director of the Association of Summer Olympic Sports International Federations (ASOIF).
An extraordinary Steering Committee will take place on October 29 where we will make an initial progress report on the implementation of campaign commitments and where we will define the major deadlines to come. This meeting will take place at the UCI headquarters so that employees can meet the new members of the Management Committee.
These last few days have been very busy but also very constructive, and I am grateful to everyone within the cycling family who has given me their support in leading the way. »
