That’s what she dreaded the most. Tuesday March 22, Marion Sicot saw her suspension increase from two to four years after the judgment of the Council of State. Tested positive at EPO on the sidelines of the French championships in 2019, the cyclist had denied the facts before confessing on Stage 2, March 8, 2020. She will therefore not be able to resume the start of a race from here. March 2024, she will then be 31 years old.
Faced with threats and blackmail, Marion Sicot
gave in and took EPO. Back on a case of “forced doping” according to the cyclist, who testifies exclusively for #Stadium2. pic.twitter.com/CJQEGdG5A7— francetvsport (@francetvsport) March 8, 2020
The AFLD Sanctions Committee had however decided, in the first instance, to suspend her for only two years, considering that she had extenuating circumstances. The cyclist had claimed to have taken EPO in the hope of regaining the confidence of her manager, whom she accused of moral and sexual harassment. A complaint has been filed to this effect with the Montargis prosecutor’s office. She explains in particular that she was dismissed after refusing to continue to send photos in her underwear to Marc Bracke, her manager.
An argument that the Council of State has swept away. “If particular circumstances can be taken into account, the link between these circumstances and the doping practice must still be established: the Council of State ruled that this was not the case in this case” reacted the AFLD which had requested the maximum possible suspension for Marion Sicot.
“The four-year suspension corresponds to that normally provided for by the World Anti-Doping Code and the Sports Code for any athlete who has intentionally resorted to the administration of EPO”continues the anti-doping agency.
“I don’t have the words. ‘Destroyed’ is not strong enough. I don’t understand. I had paid. I had given all the details, about the harassment, about my taking the product. Two years , I thought it was fair, because, it’s true, I made a mistake” has, for his part, entrusted Marion Sicot to AFP.
This decision, which is not open to challenge, brings the doping case which has been going on before the various authorities for two and a half years to a judicial close. Marion Sicot, who wrote a book to testify, remains involved in the proceedings against Marc Bracke. The latter was also suspended for three years by the International Cycling Union and saw a procedure open against him for harassment after revelations from other riders.