December 01, 2012 (Ottawa, ON) – Cycling Canada has endorsed the Terms of Reference for the newly-created Independent Commission appointed by John Coates, President of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport, to look into the issues and allegations contained in the USADA decision relating to the Armstrong affair.

President John Tolkamp responded to the news earlier today: “As the national cycling federation in Canada we have made our position on a fully independent review clear to the UCI.  The composition of this Independent Commission and the scope of its mandate as set out in the terms of reference give us cause to believe that all matters relative to the many issues and allegations that have been raised will be given a fair and comprehensive review.

This is a necessary step for our sport to ensure that our past is fully acknowledged, understood and can be used to guide the future towards eradicating doping. We continue to encourage and support the UCI in its anti-doping efforts, as we have always done. Cycling is one of very few professional sports in the world that has implemented strict anti-doping regulations. UCI-driven initiatives such as the biological passport are now being considered by other sports worldwide.  We look forward to the report of the Independent Commission in June of 2013.”

The Terms and Reference of the Independent Commission have been published today by the UCI, as well as the announcement of the composition of the Independent Commission.