British Cycling President Brian Cookson "has emerged as a strong contender to become president of the Int'l Cycling Union (UCI) should the Lance Armstrong doping scandal force the resignation of the current leadership," according to the PA. Senior figures within the IOC and cycling believe Cookson, 61, "could be the man to restore the reputation of the sport, which is at crisis point, with some IOC members even questioning whether it should remain in the Games." UCI President Pat McQuaid "is facing calls for his resignation after it was revealed the governing body had accepted a $100,000 donation from Armstrong in '07." Armstrong also referred to "shady" dealings with UCI during his interview with Oprah Winfrey last week (PA, 1/21).