British Cycling is ‘checking facts’ in the wake of revelations today that French track sprinter, Gregory Bauge, has been stripped of the gold medal he won at last year’s world championships.
The national federation is attempting to verify the impact the action taken by world governing body, the UCI, will have on British sprinters, Jason Kenny and Sir Chris Hoy, and on the nation’s Team Sprint squad.
Reports on-line suggest that Kenny will inherit Bauge’s gold in the individual sprint, and become world champion while Hoy will be awarded the silver medal won by Kenny.
A spokesman for British Cycling said the organisation was ‘checking facts’ and would likely issue a statement later today.
The UCI’s action, which follows a one-year suspension imposed by the French Cycling Federation, could also have implications for the nation’s Team Sprint squad.
Great Britain could now be promoted to the silver medal spot behind Germany, whose team lost to Bauge’s French squad in the finals at last year’s world championship in Apeldoorn.
Bauge’s backdated – and now completed – suspension relates to “two breaches of applicable requirements regarding rider availability and one missed test in 18 months,” according to the UCI.
A statement from British Cycling is expected later today.