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Structural doping use in Dutch cycling - committee

2013-06-18 16:13 Xinhuanet

THE HAGUE, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The majority of the Dutch professional cyclists used doping at the end of the nineties and at the beginning of this century, proclaimed by a committee led by former Dutch Minister of Justice Winnie Sorgdrager on Monday.

The Anti-Doping Approach Committee presented its findings in The Hague after a six-months investigation into the doping culture in Dutch cycling, which was started after doping revelations in international and Dutch cycling last year. Dozens of ex) riders team managers and medical attendants were questioned. The report, called "Join or stop", stated that the riders felt forced at that time to make a choice of doping or quitting cycling.,

"In the opinion of the riders doping was crucial for the success of their careers and to meet the expectations of the team management," the committee said. Committee chairman Sorgdrager argued that doping was "structurally anchored" in Dutch men's cycling after the introduction of the wonder drug EPO in the mid- nineties. The majority of the riders were users at the end of the 90s and beginning of this century doping. The teams played a supporting rather than leading role.

The committee also stated the suspicion that doping use has decreased since 2009, but also emphasized that "It's probably a matter of time before something new comes up that is effective and not detectable".

As recommendation the committee focused on a change of young riders behavior, to improve the organizational structure of the teams and to improve the anti-doping policy. They also stated that a tougher approach of notorious users seems the most effective.

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