Three-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome has called for the UCI and WADA to urgently address the controversial use of TUEs. In a post on Twitter, Froome has said that “the TUE system is open to abuse.” He also stated that he never had a ‘win at all costs’ approach.
Froome was amongst the athletes whose TUEs were published recently by the Fancy Bears hacking team. Froome’s two TUEs for prednisolone were from May 2013 at the Critérium du Dauphiné and April 2014 during the Tour of Romandie which were to treat various inflammatory and autoimmune conditions.
Froome’s former team-mate Bradley Wiggins also had his TUEs published by Fancy Bears whereby it was revealed that the 2012 Tour winner had used three TUEs – prior to the 2011 and 2012 Tours de France and the 2013 Giro d’Italia.
Wiggins has since denied any wrongdoing in taking the three injections for the drug triamcinolone.
In his tweet, Froome said:
“I take my position in the sport very seriously and I know that I have to abide by the rules, but also go above and beyond that to set a good example both morally and ethically.”
“It is clear that the TUE system is open to abuse and I believe that this is something that the UCI and Wada needs to urgently address. At the same time there are athletes who not only abide by the rules that are in place, but also those of fair play.”
“I have never had a ‘win at all costs’ approach in this regard. I am not looking to push the boundaries of the rules. I believe that this is something that athletes need to take responsibility for themselves, until more stringent protocols can be put in place.”
That sounds like a clear barb aimed at Wiggins.
Pot calling Kettle black springs to mind!
Yup, does Froome also not use an inhaler for his asthma?
yep.
Their respective uses were quite different, Froome was twice prescribed prednisolone for an existing condition which was taken orally and openly disclosed at the time. The drugs were taken during the Criterium and T de Romandie. Compare this with what has recently been disclosed about Wiggins………