UCI to establish independent commission to investigate Armstrong scandal

Cycling's governing body UCI said Wednesday that it has begun to contact with potential members for an independent inquiry commission which is to probe into the Lance Armstrong affair. UCI said in a statement that it had invited John Coates, President of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) to recommend the composition of the commission and he has recommended a number of senior legal figures to be the potential chair. UCI decided at a Management Committee meeting on Oct. 26 to establish a fully independent external commission to look into various issues and allegations contained in the USADA report on American cyclist Armstrong. The Commission's final report and recommendations will be published no later than June 1, 2013, UCI said. The union also announced Wednesday to launch a wide-ranging consultation in the first quarter of 2013 involving all the stakeholders of cycling in order to tackle issues it is confronted. USADA issued an lengthy report on Oct. 10, explaining its reasons for stripping Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles and banning him for life from cycling, which cast shadow over the sport. UCI ratified the report on Oct. 22 and recognized the sanctions.