Statement on the outcome of the MPTS case against Dr Richard Freeman

I am tremendously disappointed and saddened at the verdict of the MPTS in the case against Dr Richard Freeman announced today (Friday 12 March 2021) and  the damage his actions have done to our sport.

As President of British Cycling between 1996 and 2013, I was proud and privileged to have overseen a period of unprecedented success in the sport, leading to a massive increase in its popularity and profile. In many different ways, my team and I worked long and hard to ensure that success was well-founded on principles of integrity, fair play and competing within the rules, including and especially with respect to anti-doping. 

I made anti-doping a key focus of my time both with British Cycling and later with the International Cycling Union (UCI), working closely with the World Anti-Doping Agency and other key partners to ensure robust and independent testing,  transparency and to establish a culture of fair play.

That this should now be open to question is a matter of extreme concern to me and all of those who work or have worked behind the scenes in our sport, in governance, management, administration and coaching, whether as staff or volunteers.

I therefore call upon Dr Freeman to fully co-operate with the UK Anti-Doping investigation into this matter and to provide full, frank and honest information to them. 

If there is anything I can do to assist, I will certainly co-operate fully with UKAD myself, and I also call upon any other person who has evidence on this matter to do the same. 

Given that UKAD have opened charges against Dr Freeman on this matter, I will not be making further comment.

Brian Cookson

Friday 12 March 2021.