Sexual harassment in cycling: Belgian coach Marc Bracke suspended for three years

The disciplinary commission of the International Cycling Union (UCI) pronounced Wednesday June 23, a suspension "of any function in cycling for a period of three years" and the follow -up of a "program of sensibalization to harassment" at theContrary to coach Marc Bracke, Managing Director and Sports Director of the Women's Team Doltcini-Van Eyck-Proximus Continental.Belgian Marc Bracke was accused by several runners cycling, notably the Frenchwoman Marion Sicot.

Marion Sicot had been suspended in July 2019 after being controlled positive at the EPO.In an interview with Stade 2 magazine in March 2020, she explained that she was doped in the hope of performing to satisfy her coach, Marc Bracke, whose unhealthy behavior she denounced.Under the pretext of controlling his weight and his physical form, "he asked me for underwear photos, in front and behind, every Monday.And then he wanted photos in thong, much more intimate, "explains Marion Sicot.The runner from Indre says she was sidelined the team when she decided not to send photos anymore.

"Humiliating behavior with sexual connotation"

In December 2019, the AFLD (French Association for Doping) corroborated the version of Marion Sicot in a report consulted by AFP.Marc Bracke "imposed on this 26 -year -old sportswoman, repeatedly, a humiliating behavior with a sexual connotation and which obviously had no sporting justification" and "engaged in sexual harassment all the more inadmissiblethat he knew the precariousness of the situation of the young woman and could not ignore the grip he exercised over her because of her duties as manager, "said the AFLD sanctions committee.Marion Sicot "has sought all the more to improve and achieve sporting performance as she wanted to escape these unhealthy relationships (...) It is in this particularly difficult context, which cannot be ignored that Ms. Sicot decided to use doping, "adds the AFLD.

In addition to the sports component, a court investigation is also underway, following a complaint filed by Marion Sicot with the Montargis prosecution (Loiret).