Tue, January 15, 2019

Former Team Sky and British Cycling Doctor accused of ordering testosterone for an athlete

Former British Cycling and Team Sky doctor Richard Freeman will appear before an independent medical tribunal on the basis of misconduct, including obtaining banned testosterone for an athlete.

Freeman faces 11 different accusations, including ordering 30 sachets of a testosterone gel to the Manchester Velodrome in 2011. According to the pre-hearing information, when Dr Freeman was first asked about the delivery by a fellow member of staff, he denied ordering the Testogel and said it must have been a mistake by the supplier. In October 2011 it is also alleged that he asked the supplier for written confirmation it had been sent in error, returned and destroyed “knowing that this had not taken place”. It is claimed he showed this false email to others knowing it to be “untrue”.

Dr Freeman was also at the centre of the Jiffy bag scandal, concerning the delivery of a mystery package to Wiggins's team at the 2011 Criterium du Dauphine. He later resigned from his roles at Team Sky and British Cycling telling the organisation he was too ill to face disciplinary action about his record-keeping, and was unavailable for comment.

The purpose of the tribunal from the point of view of the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service is to determine whether Dr Freeman is fit to practise. Yet the outcome could spark the biggest crisis yet for British Cycling and Team Sky, as it has the potential to destroy credibility in both.

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