Bradley Wiggins and Team Sky will not face any charges over the "jiffy bag" controversy after UK Anti-Doping closed its investigation, saying that it was unable to "definitively confirm" the contents of the package, according to Martyn Ziegler of the LONDON TIMES. UKAD launched an investigation more than a year ago "after being told the package contained the powerful corticosteroid triamcinolone." Richard Freeman, the Team Sky doctor who "administered the contents of the package to Wiggins" in June '11, insisted it was Fluimucil, a legal decongestant used to treat asthma. UKAD has, however, "raised concerns to British Cycling and Team Sky" that both organizations "had failed to maintain medical records detailing the package’s contents" (LONDON TIMES, 11/15). In London, Sean Ingle reported UKAD's efforts to get to the truth "were hindered" by Freeman. He had "previously failed to upload medical records to his computer as required" and later reported that his laptop "had been stolen while on holiday in Greece." Freeman reportedly resigned earlier this month. When giving evidence to parliament in March, UKAD CEO Nicole Sapstead said that there were "no records of British Cycling purchasing Fluimucil" in the U.K. In contrast, she told the MPs, the organization "had purchased significant amounts of triamcinolone, a corticosteroid only allowed under anti-doping rules by specific medical exemption," which Wiggins is known to have used in other cases. Wiggins has "always maintained that he did not know what was in the package," which was delivered to Freeman by British Cycling Women's Manager Simon Cope. Sapstead insisted that UKAD's investigation had been "thorough and extensive" (GUARDIAN, 11/15).
FURTHER INVESTIGATION: In London, Samuel Lovett reported the case "has now been referred to the General Medical Council," which will be expected to advance its "own investigation into the matter." The GMC said in a statement, "Ukad have made us aware of these concerns and we are looking into these. However, we are not able to comment further on this matter" (INDEPENDENT, 11/15).
WIGGINS SPEAKS OUT: In Dublin, Matt Slater reported Wiggins broke his silence on the investigation, saying that it has provoked a "malicious witch hunt" that has been a "living hell" for his family. In a statement posted on his social media pages, Wiggins "welcomed Wednesday's announcement by UKAD that it was closing a 14-month investigation." While this "pleased" Wiggins, the 37-year-old criticized UKAD for not issuing an "unqualified finding of innocence" and said that he will "consider his legal options." He wrote that being accused of doping "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" (IRISH INDEPENDENT, 11/15).
ON THE DEFENSIVE: In London, Matt Lawton reported Wiggins, Team Sky and British Cycling "have consistently denied any wrongdoing throughout." In response to UKAD closing the investigation, Team Sky issued a statement, saying, "We have always maintained that there was no wrongdoing and we have co-operated fully with UK Anti-Doping over the last year" (DAILY MAIL, 11/15). In London, Tom Cary reported Culture, Media & Sport Select Committee Chair Damian Collins described the outcome of UKAD's year-long investigation into Team Sky and British Cycling as "unacceptable and unsatisfactory," insisting it was "not an exoneration of anyone" and adding that a "cloud now hangs over one of our greatest Olympians." Collins said that he felt the case "overall demonstrated UKAD's lack of powers" and added that he favored making doping a criminal offense. He said, "I think it clearly shows that UKAD does not have the powers it needs and I've been very clear on this. UKAD currently relies on people's willingness to cooperate. It has no legal authority to compel anyone to speak" (TELEGRAPH, 11/15).
