Cycling’s governing body has withdrawn from legal action against the journalist, Paul Kimmage, new UCI president Brian Cookson confirmed during his first foreign engagement today in Beijing.
Former UCI leaders Hein Verbruggen and Pat McQuaid instigated a case against Kimmage, claiming to be defamed by articles the Irishman wrote for The Sunday Times, but later suspended their action.
Kimmage then filed a defamation action of his own against the UCI in a Swiss court. A defence fund set-up by the websites NYVelocity and Cyclismas attracted donations of nearly $100,000.
Now Cookson, who ran against McQuaid in the election for cycling’s top job, has informed Kimmage that the UCI has formally closed the suspended proceedings.
“Earlier this week I called Paul Kimmage to tell him that the UCI has withdrawn from the legal action against him,” he said.
And the new president confirmed that his body would work with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to advance an enquiry into actions previously taken by the UCI.
“We have started the work of establishing a high level dialogue with WADA to plan how we will proceed with the independent investigation into the UCI’s past.
“We have also been making contact with other key stakeholders in this area, including USADA, other national anti-doping organisations and the French Sports Ministry.”
Just two weeks into the former British Cycling chief’s reign as president, the UCI have already announced radical proposals to restructure professional cycling and Cookson confirmed rebuilding the sport is high on his agenda.
“These early days are very important for the UCI,” he said. “We have embarked on the process of implementing our manifesto commitments so we can re-establish our International Federation’s reputation and make it the best and most respected in the world.
“I believe that we have made a good start. In Florence, the cycling family clearly demonstrated its desire for change. And we have quickly got down to work.”
Other changes announced include reforms to women’s cycling, with the age limit of 28 currently in place for UCI Women’s Teams now being revoked and a commission for women’s cycling formed.
There have also been changes at staffing level, with former director general Christophe Hubschmid leaving and Antonio Rigozzi, of Levy Kaufmann-Kohler, replacing Philippe Verbiest as legal counsel.
Cookson concluded: “It’s been a busy time but very constructive and I am grateful to all the support I have received from the cycling family in setting out on this new path.”
