Cyclist admits doping, says doctors helped

The 31-year-old “could have spared himself, but also the sport, a lot if he had told the truth earlier,” said Michael Vesper, managing director of the Olympic Confederation and Rudolf Scharping, president of the German Cycling Federation in a joint statement. But, they continued, the admission came “early enough to carry weight in the battle against doping.”

Schumacher confessed to the systematic use of performance-enhancing substances over many years in an interview with Der Spiegel news magazine, and claimed doping took place with the support of doctors. He also vowed to share his knowledge with anti-doping organisations.

Vesper and Scharping said they believed Schumacher’s admission meant those facilitating doping would now be exposed and punished. They called upon other athletes involved to follow suit.

DPA/The Local/kkf