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Cycling cash allegations denied Cycling cash allegations denied
(about 2 hours later)
The governing body of world cycling has denied the findings of a BBC investigation that an event may have bought its way into the Olympic Games.The governing body of world cycling has denied the findings of a BBC investigation that an event may have bought its way into the Olympic Games.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said money paid to it by organisers of a Japanese cycling event, the keirin, was not linked to its inclusion.The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) said money paid to it by organisers of a Japanese cycling event, the keirin, was not linked to its inclusion.
The UCI backed the keirin and it was admitted in 1996.The UCI backed the keirin and it was admitted in 1996.
The UCI said there was no evidence of anything other than a "proper arrangement to promote track cycling".The UCI said there was no evidence of anything other than a "proper arrangement to promote track cycling".
Audit reviewAudit review
The UCI said in a statement: "The agreement did not include any provision regarding keirin's acceptance as an Olympic sport or even a commitment by UCI to seek its inclusion in the Olympic programme.The UCI said in a statement: "The agreement did not include any provision regarding keirin's acceptance as an Olympic sport or even a commitment by UCI to seek its inclusion in the Olympic programme.
"As UCI exists to promote cycling, it is perfectly logical that UCI would cooperate with Japanese national cycling groups to encourage international interest in track cycling.""As UCI exists to promote cycling, it is perfectly logical that UCI would cooperate with Japanese national cycling groups to encourage international interest in track cycling."
The statement added: "All expenses related to the agreement were reviewed by an independent auditor and deemed proper."The statement added: "All expenses related to the agreement were reviewed by an independent auditor and deemed proper."
The BBC investigation was based on documents it had been given.The BBC investigation was based on documents it had been given.
They suggested that $3m (£1.5m) was paid by keirin organisers to the UCI in the 1990s.They suggested that $3m (£1.5m) was paid by keirin organisers to the UCI in the 1990s.
The payments began just two months after the keirin was accepted into the Olympics. The keirin was formally accepted by the International Olympic Committee in December 1996 and entered competition in Sydney in 2000.
Written on UCI letterhead, one of the contracts states that the Japanese agree to support UCI projects in "material terms", in consideration of "the excellent relationship the UCI has with representatives of the Olympic movement".
In the keirin event, riders are initially paced around a track by a motorcycle before sprinting for the line.In the keirin event, riders are initially paced around a track by a motorcycle before sprinting for the line.
The sport is big business in its country of origin, Japan, commanding tens of millions of dollars in gambling revenue every year.The sport is big business in its country of origin, Japan, commanding tens of millions of dollars in gambling revenue every year.