Rider type Sprinter Disciplines Track cycling Weight 84 kg | Role Cyclist Name Martin Vinnicombe | |
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Full name James Martin Vinnicombe Born 5 December 1964 (age 59)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ( 1964-12-05 ) 1992–1994 Giramondo Cycles, Clarence Street Cyclery. Olympic medals Cycling at the 1988 Summer Olympics - Men's 1000m Time Trial | ||
James Martin Vinnicombe (born 5 December 1964) is a retired Australian track cyclist who competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, winning a silver medal in 1000 metres time trial. He tested positive for steroids in 1991. His former manager, Phill Bates, told the Sydney Morning Herald in 1996: "He knew the only way to win was to cheat." Vinnicombe won the world championship for amateurs in 1 km time trial in 1987. He also won the silver medal three times (1986, 1989 and 1990) and the bronze medal once (1985).
While in the USA in 1991, Canadian drug testers came into the USA and took samples from Vinnicombe. Only weeks before this Vinnicombe was recovering from tendon damage, and was receiving the medically accepted treatment of steroids. Vinnicombe was initially banned for 2 years. The judgement that followed, overturned that ban, and an out of court settlement was made to Vinnicombe. A two-year embargo was also set, but Vinnicombe never sought action against this.
In 2012 he admitted to doping during his cycling career.