Cookson says move shows he is working towards fulfilling each of his election pledges
Brian Cookson’s pre-election promise to increase the role and influence of women in world cycling appears to be coming to pass, with the UCI confirming today that for the first time ever, a woman will be part of every commission in the sport.
“Members of eighteen commissions have been appointed. In an unprecedented decision in the organisation’s history, at least one woman will sit on each of the commissions newly-designated under the Presidency of Brian Cookson,” said the governing body in a statement.
The UCI had earlier seen Oceania president Tracey Gaudry elected as one of its vice presidents. She also heads up the women’s commission, which is one of three new commissions established after his election.
The others are the International Development and National Federations’ Commission, plus a Constitutional Review Panel.
A previously existing Cycling for All Commission has been divided in two, with this producing a total of eighteen bodies. The two new formations are the Mass Participation Events commission and the Advocacy/Cyclist’s Rights commissions.
The UCI was previously criticised for not paying enough attention to women’s cycling. Cookson made it one of the priorities in his manifesto, with the-then UCI president Pat MCQuaid following suit.
Cookson defeated McQuaid seven weeks ago at the UCI election in Florence, Italy. Gaudry was elected as vice president the same day.
He has also said that the UCI will produce hour-long highlights packages of the women’s World Cup races, distributing these free to broadcasters in order to increase the coverage of that area of the sport.
Responding to today’s confirmation of women on each of the commissions, he said that it would help reinforce their presence in cycling.
“It was one of the priorities of my mandate, along with the international development of cycling and the reform of the governance of the UCI. Today we continue working to ensure our pledges are met.”