THE DEFENCE FUND for Irish journalist Paul Kimmage, who is being sued by the International Cycling Union over claims he made false allegations about the organisation, has today risen to over $60,000 (€46,308) in donations.
The UCI are taking Kimmage to court over the journalist’s claims that they helped cover up a positive for Lance Armstrong.
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It became known last January that former presidents of the organisation, Pat McQuaid and Hein Verbruggen, launched a claim suggesting Kimmage was “dishonest” in accusing them of “having knowingly tolerated tests, of being dishonest people, of not having a sense of responsibility, of not applying the same rules to everyone”.
The trial gained further publicity when Kimmage was issued a subpoena, with the defence fund subsequently being set up in order to assist in the payment of his legal costs.
On Twitter last week, Kimmage described how the stress of the impending trial was taking its toll, and in what was seemingly his last tweet before quitting the site, he said:
“This conflict with the UCI may seem like a game, and a game I’m enjoying, but the truth is that it’s destroying my life. And the person… and the person I care most about. So I’m going to check out now. A sincere thanks again for the support.”
The trial in question is due to take place this December.
The page for donations to the Paul Kimmage Defence Fund can be found here.
Defence fund for Irish journalist Kimmage passes $60,000
Updated 17.52
THE DEFENCE FUND for Irish journalist Paul Kimmage, who is being sued by the International Cycling Union over claims he made false allegations about the organisation, has today risen to over $60,000 (€46,308) in donations.
The UCI are taking Kimmage to court over the journalist’s claims that they helped cover up a positive for Lance Armstrong.
It became known last January that former presidents of the organisation, Pat McQuaid and Hein Verbruggen, launched a claim suggesting Kimmage was “dishonest” in accusing them of “having knowingly tolerated tests, of being dishonest people, of not having a sense of responsibility, of not applying the same rules to everyone”.
The trial gained further publicity when Kimmage was issued a subpoena, with the defence fund subsequently being set up in order to assist in the payment of his legal costs.
Many others have also suggested the UCI were complicit in covering up Armstong’s alleged doping, with the latest claim being made by the former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency, Richard Pound.
On Twitter last week, Kimmage described how the stress of the impending trial was taking its toll, and in what was seemingly his last tweet before quitting the site, he said:
The trial in question is due to take place this December.
The page for donations to the Paul Kimmage Defence Fund can be found here.
Updated: Armstrong could take lie test, whistleblower talks>
Here’s how The Observer’s sport section looks this morning>
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