Brian Cookson

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Michael Brian Cookson[1] OBE is a road racing cyclist from Lancashire, and the president of British Cycling since 1997 after becoming a member of an 'Emergency Committee' to rescue the organisation from insolvency in 1996.[2][3] He has been credited for turning the sport around since taking on his unpaid role as president, he was awarded the Gold Badge of Honour by British Cycling in December 2006[3] and honoured with an OBE in the Queens New Year Honours in 2008.[4][2] Cookson first became involved in the administration of the sport in the 1980s.[5]

Outspoken and dedicated to his sport, Cookson made a statement following the doping scandals of the 2007 Tour de France, urging the organisers not to give up the fight for a clean sport. He also said that "At British Cycling, we have always taken a very strong anti-doping stance throughout all our structures, from the elite Podium level, right the way through to our coaching and development programmes for youngsters."[6][7] Cookson is working to develop the sport of cycling from grass roots to the top level, and firmly believes that this approach will be successful long term. As if to back up his conviction, in 2006, he stated that he believed a British cyclist could win the Tour de France within the next 25 years.[8]

Cookson was elected a member of the British Olympic Association's Executive Committee for a third term in October 2005, and again re-elected in November 2007.[9][10]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "New Year Honours: full list", The Times, 29 December 2007. 
  2. ^ a b "New Year Honours For Cookson and Dailey", British Cycling, 29 December 2007. 
  3. ^ a b "Gold Badge of Honour for Brian Cookson", British Cycling, 13 December 2006. 
  4. ^ "New Year Honours for sports stars", BBC News, 29 December 2007. 
  5. ^ "Cookson Receives OBE", Cycling Weekly, 29 December 2007. 
  6. ^ "Statement on Doping By Brian Cookson by Brian Cookson", Le Tour Guide, 27 July 2007. 
  7. ^ "Statement on Doping By Brian Cookson", londoncyclesport.com, 25 July 2007. 
  8. ^ Hayles in Pursuit of World Domination, By Scott Dougal, PA Sport. http://www.tourdefrancelondon.com.
  9. ^ "Cookson continues with British Olympic Association", cyclingnews.com, 7 October 2005. 
  10. ^ "British Cycling President Elected to BOA Board", British Cycling, 12 November 2007. 

[edit] External links