Power dump Stuart O’Grady as ambassador after drug confession
Cyclist 'can no longer perform his role as ambassador' after EPO admission
PORT Adelaide has dumped disgraced cyclist Stuart O'Grady as a club ambassador, condemning his drug use in the lead-up to the 1998 Tour de France.
On Wednesday night O'Grady sensationally confessed to the use of the blood-booster EPO. The admission came as a French senate report into samples taken during the 1998 race alleged O'Grady had returned a "suspicious" result for EPO.
O'Grady claimed his use of the banned drug had been a one-off, saying he had raced clean for the remainder of his career.
In a statement released on Friday night the Power said the club's stance on performance-enhancing drugs was "unequivocal".
"As such, it advises that O’Grady can longer perform his role as an ambassador of Port Adelaide Football Club," the club said.
O'Grady grew up in Port Adelaide and is a long-time supporter of the club in both the AFL and SANFL and is a former No.1 ticket holder.
He was presented a No.17 Port Adelaide jumper earlier thismonth by South Australian sports minister Leon Bignell to mark his 17th Tour de France ride - the equal most of anycyclist in the event's history.
The Power wished O'Grady well during the "very difficult and challenging" part of his life.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) on Thursday demanded O'Grady's resignation from the AOC Athletes' Commission.
"Athletes' Commission members are chosen for their qualities of integrity and leadership and by his admission Stuart does not deserve to be a member of that group," AOC President John Coates said.
It has been reported that the South Australian Government is considering ordering O'Grady to return the $44,000 he was paid to promote the state.
Harry Thring is a reporter for AFL Media. Follow him on Twitter: @AFL_Harry.