Agency said that it is pushing ahead with its investigation into cycling
The US Anti Doping Agency has responded to Ryder Hesjedal’s admission of doping use in the past, saying that the Canadian testified about the matter earlier this year and that such actions were crucial in helping the sport to become cleaner in the long term.
“As has been publicly reported, we can confirm that USADA, along with the Canadian Center for Ethics in Sport (CCES), interviewed cyclist, Ryder Hesjedal, earlier this year as part of our ongoing investigation into the sport of cycling,” stated the agency.
“Athletes like him and others, who have voluntarily come in, taken accountability for their actions and have been fully truthful, are essential to securing a brighter future for the sport of cycling. As in all cases, where there is actionable evidence of doping within the statute of limitations, we have imposed discipline and announced sanctions.”
Hesjedal’s public admission came several minutes ago and follows claims published earlier today by Michael Rasmussen, who said that the Canadian and two other mountainbike riders used EPO and Synacthen in 2003.
Hesjedal said that his substance use happened more than ten years ago, and that he had raced clean since.
USADA said it was pressing on with its work after last year’s publication of the Reasoned Decision into Lance Armstrong and the US Postal Service team.
“We continue our ongoing investigation into the sport of cycling, and have also been urging the UCI to take the decisive and transparent action it announced over a year ago to truly set the sport on a new foundation for the good of clean athletes,” it stated.
“We are hopeful and confident that the new UCI leadership will fulfill its promise of conducting a full and independent process to finally put this sport on a new path toward integrity that protects the rights of clean athletes, and believe strongly the time for this is now.”
The UCI stated yesterday that it was coordinating with WADA and others to set up a new Independent Commission to investigate the governing body’s past actions. It also said that it was pressing ahead with plans to establish a new, independent anti-doping body.