Pat McQuaid

Background

McQuaid comes from a cycling family, with his father Jim and uncle Paddy being top cyclists. Jim and Madge McQuaid raised 10 children, seven sons and three daughters. All seven sons raced. Paul, Oliver and Darach McQuaid, the youngest of the ten, as well as his cousin John McQuaid represented Ireland in world road championships and the Olympic road race. In addition, there are 3 'McQuaid cycles' bicycle shops in Dublin and Kieron McQuaid is today the second largest importer of bikes in Ireland. Two of Pat's sons have long established business interests in the sport - David McQuaid owns DMC Sports and is the General manager of an international cycling team. Andrew McQuaid is a lawyer, Rider Agent and the General Manager of Team Wiggins.

Cycling career

McQuaid raced from 1966 to 1982, starting as a junior and then nationally and internationally as a senior. He was Irish national road champion in 1974 and won the Tour of Ireland in 1975 and 1976. He also won the Shay Elliott Memorial Race. At the end of his career, he rode for the Viking Cycles pro team in Britain

Cycling administration

After his cycling career, McQuaid worked as a Physical Education teacher in Dublin and remained fully involved in cycling both as an Administrator, Race Organiser. His career showed his rising through the ranks to the top level in the sports administration as follows:

On Friday 27 September 2013, the presidential election of the International Cycling Union (UCI) with Pat McQuaid and Brian Cookson the only candidates. The election took place at the UCI Congress in Florence. Cookson won the election by 24 -18 votes. McQuaid, who had been in office since 2005, had pledged not to launch a legal challenge should he be defeated in particular reference to the allegations of that votes had been bought by the Russian Board Member who wanted McQuaid removed.

Corruption allegations and defamation lawsuits

McQuaid has been involved in defamation lawsuits in Switzerland against people who accused UCI of corruption and collusion in regards to doping.

In September 2013, during the presidential election campaign, a dossier, prepared by the Russian board member and the USA board member, was leaked to the press which contained the allegation that McQuaid had solicited a €250,000 bribe from a Russian Board member and cycling team owner to promote the team. Other allegations included the accusation that the UCI had sought payment to cover up Alberto Contador's 2010 positive drug test, and that McQuaid made private arrangements with Lance Armstrong regarding drugs testing and race appearances. McQuaid has denied all the allegations.

The UCI, under its new administration, set up the Cycling Independent Reform Committee (CIRC) to investigate the above allegations. The CIRC had full access to interview UCI staff, cycling personnel and the general public, everyone was welcome to give evidence. The CIRC also had unlimited access to the UCI computer servers, accounts, legal and sporting departments as well as the email and phone records of Pat McQuaid, both personal and business, in order to fully carry out their investigations.

In March 2015, the CIRC report was made public and reported stated that there was no evidence to support the allegations of bribery or corruption against McQuaid.

Awards

In March 2008, McQuaid was promoted to Commander in the Order of the Ivory Coast Sporting Merit (Commandeur dans l'ordre du mérite sportif de Côte d'Ivoire).