The five cyclists named by banned cyclist Mark French have
been cleared for selection in the Athens Olympic Games team.
But there is behind-the-scenes debate about the ethics
of one cyclist that could still be the subject of
further scrutiny.
Late last night the five cyclists were officially cleared by
the latest investigation, headed by the former WA Supreme
Court judge Robert Anderson, QC, who delivered a 380-page
report after a week of intense questioning of Australian
Institute of Sport cyclists and officials.
Mr Anderson was specifically looking at the claims by
French that five other cyclists, Sean Eadie, Shane Kelly,
Graeme Brown, Brett Lancaster and Jobie Dajka, had injected
what French believed were supplements in his institute
room, No. 121.
But it is believed that while legally the cyclists have been
cleared, there is confusion about whether all their
nominations will be accepted by Australian Olympic Committee
president John Coates.
Coates has said he would need the cyclists to be "suitable
persons" to represent Australia, and that the onus was on
the athletes to clear their names before he would ratify
their nominations for the Athens Olympics.
Coates cancelled a news conference that had been scheduled
for today, and could not be reached for comment last night.
But it is believed that in a round-table discussion at the
Australian Sports Commission board room in Canberra, the
lawyers for the AOC, Cycling Australia, and the Australian
Sports Commission were happy that the five cyclists were
technically able to compete in Athens.
All were included a 25-strong team for the Games nominated
by the board of Cycling Australia two hours earlier, before
the Anderson report was handed down. Sources say that some
parts of the Anderson report raise more questions about the
culture of the cycling program at the institute.
Mr Anderson had spent more than half an hour explaining the
contents of his report before leaving the lawyers to debate
what to do.
Mr Anderson has been at pains to avoid impinging on the
criminal investigation that is under way by the SA
police into the distribution of the animal poison,
equine growth hormone.
Thirteen vials of the hormone were found in room 121, which
was occupied by French last December. This week SA police
raided the home of cyclist and veterinarian John Katakasi,
who is friendly with many of the institute cyclists.
Mr Anderson was careful not to touch on this area with the
cyclists, as his inquiry had only a civilian status without
any privilege and he did not want to affect police
activities.
Cycling Australia's Olympic team was announced on the
provision that the selections may "also be contingent on the
outcome of the Anderson inquiry and any appeals lodged
against non-nomination".
Late night night there was a phone hook-up of Cycling
Australia board members, and the Australian Sports
Commission was also considering its legal position.
Mr Anderson has a second part of his inquiry to complete by
October, that of investigating the processes that were
undertaken by the French case.