Nigel Jones previously occupied the role of head of services at British Cycling; the appointment comes after Richard Freeman was struck off the medical register after an independent tribunal ruled his fitness to practise was impaired
Wednesday 31 March 2021 14:31, UK
British Cycling has appointed its first chief medical officer, just over a week since one of its former team doctors was struck off the medical register.
The national governing body confirmed Dr Nigel Jones has stepped into the new role, having served as its head of services since August 2017.
Jones will have oversight of medical services and guidance for both the Great Britain Cycling Team and the wider work of the governing body.
He said: "I'm delighted to take on this new role as British Cycling's first Chief Medical Officer, providing dedicated support to the Board and Executive Leadership Team and giving confidence to our volunteers and the cycling workforce as they support a safe return to grassroots activities and events.
"A key part of this broadened role will be how we upskill and educate all those involved in our sport to minimise risk and make existing resources both engaging and relevant for their roles.
"I'm looking forward to working closely alongside colleagues from across British Cycling to further enhance the support and provision we currently offer, learning from the wider sector and ensuring that we are well prepared to meet the challenges of the future.
"I'm incredibly proud of what we have achieved in developing the Great Britain Cycling Team's medical provision and strategy over recent years, and I look forward to continuing that work with the staff and riders as we head towards Tokyo and beyond."
On March 19, former British Cycling doctor Richard Freeman was struck off after an independent tribunal ruled his fitness to practise was impaired.
Freeman was found to have ordered the banned substance testosterone in 2011 knowing or believing it was for use by an athlete.
He now faces UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) charges of possession of a prohibited substance and tampering or attempted tampering with any part of anti-doping control.
Confirmation of Dr Jones' new position comes after the governing body said it was reviewing its processes from a decade ago after allegations surfaced last weekend related to how an abnormal drugs test by a rider in 2010 was handled.
UKAD is also working with the World Anti-Doping Agency over the allegations and to see whether due process was followed.
It has been claimed that British Cycling carried out private testing on the rider concerned and did not pass the results on to UKAD.
In October 2020, the GB cycling team secured Care Quality Commission (CQC) status - one of the first professional sports organisations to do so.
