As a response to recent developments, Bob Stapleton, General Manager of the T-Mobile Team, has outlined an action plan to adidas for preventing doping in his team and improving the environment in the sport. Based on these actions, adidas will continue the support of the team and its management.
adidas made the decision knowing there are still many loopholes in doping controls and that there are no guarantees for a drug-free sport. But from adidas' perspective, the T-Mobile Team has taken forward-looking and necessary steps towards this goal. The alternative of withdrawing from the involvement would equal surrender in the face of the doping problem.
The decision to continue the cooperation was further bolstered by the close involvement of Germany’s National Anti Doping Agency (NADA) into the doping-control process of the team. The continuous strengthening of the NADA's work and their position offers a real chance for success in the fight against doping.
Nonetheless, the basic attitude of the company has not changed: adidas will immediately terminate the contract with athletes who are found guilty of doping.
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Contacts:
Jan Runau
Chief Corporate Communications Officer
Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-3830
Oliver Brüggen
Head of PR Area Central
Tel.: +49 (0) 9132 84-3100
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