UCI won't introduce life bans…yet

Pat McQuaid

Pat McQuaid (Image credit: Bettini Photo)

International Cycling Union (UCI) chief Pat McQuaid would like to hand out life-bans to convicted dopers, but won't move to do so unless the World Anti-Doping Agency changes its regulations. The Irishman admitted he's a supporter of expelling athletes for life if breaking anti-doping codes.

"On a personal level I would like to see that, but on a professional level we have to work within the WADA anti-doping code," he told Smh.com.au. "We have to work within the laws, the normal civil laws, in relation to that as well.

The UCI is unlikely to introduce any life-ban system for the time being, McQuaid said. McQuaid's support of WADA's regulations come despite the anti-doping body's chief implying cycling should be dumped from the Olympic Games as a result of the frequency of positives in the sport.

"Until the WADA anti-doping code allows us to do that, I don't think we will," he said. "We will stick with the regulations as they are."

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