The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) today welcomed the decision taken by the Madrid Court of Appeal to provide the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC), Italian National Olympic Committee (CONI) and the UCI with access to stored “Operation Puerto” blood and plasma bags of athletes from cycling and other sports.
UCI President Brian Cookson said: “The UCI applauds this decision. Although it is regrettable that we had to wait this long, in the end the message sent is clear.”
The UCI will now partner with WADA, the RFEC, Agencia Española de Protección de la Salud en el Deporte (AEPSAD) and CONI, to determine the legal options available with regards to analysing the blood and plasma bags; and, where applicable, pursuing anti-doping rule violations.
The UCI will make no further comment at this time.
Notes to Editors “Operation Puerto” is a Spanish Police investigation into a doping ring led by Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. In 2006, 211 blood and plasma bags were seized from the offices of Dr. Fuentes.