On 24 June 2004, the Australia Olympic Committee, (“AOC”) made certain statements contained within a Media Release published on the AOC Website (olympics.com.au).

Some of the statements within the media release were factually inaccurate and may have been understood by some readers to be defamatory of Mr Mark French.

We acknowledge that it was incorrect to assert that Mr French:

1. had claimed that up to 5 cyclist of the Australian Institute of Sport in Adelaide injected illegal drugs in his room; and
2. had admitted trafficking illegal drugs, including Equine Growth Hormone and steroids.

We agree that Mr French made no such claims or admissions.

Mr French was fully exonerated by the Court of Arbitration for Sport Appeal Panel in July 2005 in respect of all the charges brought against him, ie, that he was not guilty of use, possession of or trafficking of any banned substances.

The AOC fully and unconditionally withdraws the statements that were made concerning Mr French and sincerely and unreservedly apologises to Mr French for any hurt or embarrassment suffered, as a consequence of our statement.

Australian Olympic Committee