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.^[1] On testing some of the syringes were found to contain the EquiGen hormone.^[1]

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.^[1][2] Further French said that for months they injected themselves once or twice a week in room 121 at the Australian Institute of Sport.^[1] 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.^[3]

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appealed and in July 2005 was cleared by the Court of Arbitration for Sport due to lack of evidence, and they also rescinded his lifetime ban from competing at the Olympics.^[4] The drugs scandal meant French missed competing at the 2004 Athens Olympics.^[5] French expressed anger at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."^[6]

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.^[7] 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.^[8]

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.^[9]

Palmarès

References