UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has sent a direct letter to British Cycling accusing the governing body of compromising and hindering the ‘Jiffy bag’ investigation. The investigation is centered on a suspicious ‘medical bag’ that was sent to Team Sky and Bradley Wiggins. At that time, they were engaged at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine.
Even though British Cycling received the letter a couple of months ago, they only made it public along with a response on Friday, on its official website. This came only after BBC directly confronted the governing body. Apparently, the leak of information left them with no option but to give an explanation on the matter.
UKAD summary of its cycling investigation into the package delivered to Team Sky in June 2011 –>> https://t.co/DqkwgdEDcD pic.twitter.com/PSzyQXNz9H
— UK Anti-Doping (@ukantidoping) November 15, 2017
Compromising the investigation
Despite the fact UKAD refused to file any anti-doping violation for Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky over the “Jiffy Bag” case, it decided to issue a direct list of several deficiencies to British Cycling over its different medical procedures that it applies. UK anti-doping said that delays by British Cycling to keep them informed about the case “could have potentially compromised our investigation with possible loss of evidence”
“Despite being aware of allegations in relation to the 2011 package, British Cycling was slow to inform UKAD,” the letter wrote.
“Failure to inform UKAD at the time that individuals within British Cycling became aware of such suspicions or allegations; meant that this story had already reached a number of individuals before UKAD was informed, and thus able to act. That only hindered our efforts.”
The investigation came to an end on November 2017, with no charges applied. Wiggins took the chance to express anger for the negative impact he had to deal with.
“Being accused of any doping indiscretion is the worst possible thing for any professional sportsperson. Especially when it is without any solid factual basis. And you know the allegation to be categorically untrue,” Wiggins said at the time.
“This period of time has been a living hell for me and my family, full of innuendo and speculation. At times it has felt nothing less than a malicious witch hunt.”
