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ISSUE 19 | NOV 2014 |
15
Brian Cookson, President of the
International Cycling Union (UCI), has
criticised the “unacceptable” outfits
worn by a women’s Colombian cycling
team while racing at the Giro della
Toscana in Tuscany, Italy.
A photograph of the six IDRD-Bogota
Humana-San Mateo-Solgar cyclists
has been circulating on social media
attracting criticism for the apparent
nakedness around the midriff area.
Among the many critics is British
Olympic, Commonwealth and world
road race champion Nicole Cooke, who
tweeted: “This has turned the sport into
a joke. Girls stand up for yourselves -
say no.”
The mainly red and yellow outfit appears to be largely
ordinary from the midriff up, however, an apparent flesh-
coloured torso area gives the impression that the wearer is
partly naked.
Despite the critics, reports in Colombia have indicated that
a member of the team designed the outfits with riders
having worn it for several months already.
The UCI released a statement stating: “The UCI will be
sending a letter to the Colombian Federation reminding
them of their responsibility regarding article 1.3.046 in
the control of regional and club team kits that compete in
international events.”
Ecclestone settles bribery case
A German court has ruled that Formula One tycoon Bernie
Ecclestone can pay a $US100 million settlement to end his
bribery trial.
Ecclestone, who is now likely to stay at the F1 helm, struck
an accord with prosecutors on the huge payment which
then received the Munich tribunal’s blessing.
“The proceedings will be temporarily suspended with the
agreement of the prosecution and the accused,” pending
payment of the settlement within one week, the judge
said.
The $100 million payment is reportedly the largest of its
kind in German criminal justice history, with $99 million to
go to the Bavarian state coffers and $1 million to a “child
hospice foundation”. Ecclestone had been asked whether
he could make the payment within a week, to which he
replied: “Yes”.
Ecclestone went on trial in April on charges of paying
$US44 million to Bavarian bank executive Gerhard
Gribkowsky in 2006-07 to help maintain his four-decade
grip on Formula One.
A settlement is allowed in German criminal cases if
prosecutors, aggrieved parties and the court agree, but the
Ecclestone deal has stoked fierce criticism.
Court spokesman Andrea Titz said the judges had
determined that a conviction was “not particularly likely”
based on the evidence presented so far. Proceedings had
been scheduled to last at least until October.
Under the terms, Ecclestone will not have a criminal record
and should be able to retain his control of the multi-billion-
dollar F1 empire.
SPORTS
SHORTS
Women’s cycling team outfits “unacceptable” says UCI President