Mark French (born 13 October 1984) is a retired Australian sprint track cyclist. He started cycling competitively relatively late, at the age of 15, in 1999.
Drug scandal French is most recognised for the 2004 scandal where he was accused of taking drugs, after cleaners found 13 ampoules labelled EquiGen (equine-derived growth hormone, an illegal doping agent), syringes and vitamins outside his boarding room at the Australian Institute of Sport.The Independent.co.uk: Australian cycling rocked by drugs claims On testing some of the syringes were found to contain the EquiGen hormone.
At his drugs hearing before the Court of Arbitration for Sport French gave sworn evidence that named Shane Kelly, Sean Eadie, Jobie Dajka and Graeme Brown as riders who often injected vitamins and supplements in his room.Herald Sun: Cyclist Mark French back in the thick of the action Further French said that for months they injected themselves once or twice a week in room 121 at the Australian Institute of Sport. French was banned from cycling for two years after he was found to have taken and trafficked corticosteroid and equine growth hormone. No other cyclist were charged with drug offenses but Jobie Dajka was found to have lied in his evidence to the inquiry and was suspended and sent home from the 2004 pre-Olympic training camp.
French appealed and in July 2005 was cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport due to lack of evidence, and they also rescinded his lifetime ban from competing at the Olympics. The drugs scandal meant French missed competing at the 2004 Athens Olympics.Mal Sawford, Cycling Newsflash for 21 January 2006, Cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 10 December 2006. French expressed anger at the cycling world and said "It wasn't until after the day after the decision got handed down with the appeal that I started enjoying life."Ryan, Melissa. French making up for lost time, The Age, 9 December 2006. Retrieved 10 December 2006.
Return to cycling After failing to qualify for the 2006 Commonwealth Games, French was successful in being selected in the Australian national team for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He achieved 4th and 13th in the team and individual sprints, respectively. He retired after the Olympics and now works as a personal trainer.
Defamation actions In December 2008 French was awarded a $350,000 payout after being defamed by James Brayshaw and Tim Smith who branded French as a "dirty, stinking, dobbing cyclist" by radio station Triple M.Herald Sun: Cycling Mark French in legal win
In March 2010 French was awarded $175,000 in a successful defamation action against The Herald and Weekly Times over allegations that were similar to those raised by Triple M.Andrea Petrie. Cyclist Mark French wins defamation payout. The Age, 27 April 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2011
Palmarès
2001 1st Sprint, World Track Championships - Junior 1st Team Sprint, World Track Championships - Junior 2002 1st Keirin, World Track Championships - Junior 1st Sprint, World Track Championships - Junior 2003 1st Sprint, World Cup, Aguascalientes 3rd Team Sprint, World Cup, Cape Town 1st Keirin, Australian National Track Championships, Sydney 2nd Team Sprint, World Cup, Sydney 2nd Sprint, World Cup, Sydney 2006 1st Sprint, Oceania Games, Melbourne 1st Keirin, Oceania Games, Melbourne 2nd Team Sprint, Oceania Games, Melbourne 2007 2nd Sprint, Australian National Track Championships, Sydney 1st Team Sprint, Australian National Track Championships, Sydney 3rd Team Sprint, Oceania Cycling Championships, Invercargill 2008 3rd Team Sprint, World Cup, Los Angeles
References