IOC president says cycling is cleaning up its act

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, shown at a May news conference, said in a statement Thursday that cycling officials' efforts to eradicate doping in the sport have been "indeed impressive."

Staff Writer

June 12, 2014 9:51 AM PT

With the 2014 Tour de France less than a month away, the International Olympic Committee has expressed confidence that cycling officials are making headway in their efforts to clean up the sport, which has long been under the shadow of doping scandals.

IOC President Thomas Bach issued a statement Thursday after meeting with cycling federation executives.

“These efforts are indeed impressive,” Bach said. “It was great to see all the stakeholders equally committed to the fight for clean athletes.”

The sport has a history of high-profile doping cases. Lance Armstrong, the seven-time Tour de France winner, was banned for life after admitting that he used performance-enhancing drugs through much of his historic career.

“I would like to thank President Bach for an extremely positive discussion covering a range of issues around the UCI’s strategy to grow cycling globally,” International Cycling Union President Brian Cookson said in the statement.

Late last year the IOC announced that it would earmark $10 million for further anti-doping research.