The Beacon Message Board

Nicolle in full honest and accurate form. You have to admire her honesty and determination and achievements when the whole sport's doping and sexism culture was against her. Reminds us as a club how we must behave.

Here's her full testimony and written evidence.

http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Event/Inde ... 2904f81c2d

http://data.parliament.uk/writteneviden ... 45898.html

Nicole Cooke is possibly the most intelligent and articulate elite cyclist of our era. (As well as one of the best, of course!)

Agreed George
I just wonder how much She could of won if BC hadn't worked so hard against her.

Thanks for the links Tim, first time I've ever found written evidence to and an hour or so of a parliamentary select committee hearing so compelling.

Blimey very powerful. Thanks Tim yes makes a very powerful case for equalities and good governance from club to international level.

Yes, when I first started listening I thought there's no way I would stick 10 mins never mind an hour but it was compelling as you say.

Interesting it comes a day after bc announced equal prize money for the women's road circuit series of £10k, but didn't mention that the men have two series so they have £20k available to win so it's far from equal! Something likes of Tanni Grey Thompson has flagged on twitter.

Nothing new though, nothing that hasn't been known for many years, yet Sky / BC have successfully used TUE'S to administer performance enhancing drugs perfectly legally as they continually point out.
Athletes who fail to forfill their obligations under anti doping rules receive legal support from BC if a medal and therefore funding is at risk. The win at all costs attitude prevails.
A few more sacrificial individuals, even as senior as Sir Dave Brailsford, won't do it. A genuine cultural change and commitment to that change at the highest levels in the sport is what's required. I see little evidence of that happening in BC or the UCI.