Olympics: Chris Hoy backing David Millar but still believes in life bans

Millar has been selected for the initial eight-man squad for the men’s road race – he became eligible last month after the British Olympic Association were forced to drop their lifetime ban for doping offenders. The 35-year-old was banned for two years in 2004 after admitting to taking the blood-boosting agent EPO, since when he was become a leading campaigner against drugs.

Four-times gold medallist Hoy had supported the lifetime ban but, when asked about Millar’s inclusion yesterday stressed his backing.

Hoy said: “I will 100 per cent be standing behind whoever is part of the team. I’m comfortable with whoever is selected because they are eligible for the team. It has never been about individual athletes.

“For me it’s been about the future and having a meaningful deterrent against people thinking about taking drugs.

“Someone could be sitting thinking about Rio [2016] as a target and thinking it’s a risk worth taking as they could test positive, be banned and come back in time.”

Millar’s actual participation in the London Games has yet to be guaranteed – the eight-man squad will be reduced to a five-man team by 29 June.

British Cycling’s performance director Dave Brailsford admitted that he had considered, and would continue to do so, whether the possible interest surrounding Millar’s involvement could be a negative influence on the team.

Brailsford said: “As a selector, you say: ‘Let’s have a look at the physical ability of everybody and then what impact will they have on the group dynamic’.

“After the Wimbledon final, the gaze of the media will switch to the Games and one of the stories people could focus on is Dave participating in the first event on the first day. It would be remiss not to consider whether that would have a negative impact on the group dynamic or on themselves. You could argue that it could be such an emotional environment and challenging thing for Dave to go through that he might not cope with the whole thing, who knows?

“It’s evolving. At this moment, he’s on the shortlist. We still have to choose the five.”

It would be a surprise if Millar were not chosen, however. Mark Cavendish, whom Millar would support in his quest for gold, has already stated his desire to see him as part of the team.

Brailsford also said the cycling team has special responsibilities as hosts.

He added: “This is the third Olympic team I have selected and normally we are very focused about winning, and ruthlessly winning.

“But, on this occasion, there is a different dimension to it being host nation and it has made the selection committee think a little bit more about it.”

TEAM GB LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC CYCLING SQUAD:

TRACK

Sprint: Philip Hindes, Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Victoria Pendleton, Jessica Varnish.

Endurance: Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Peter Kennaugh, Andy Tennant, Geraint Thomas, Wendy Houvenaghel, Dani King, Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell.

ROAD

Men (five to be selected): Mark Cavendish, Steven Cummings, Chris Froome, Jeremy Hunt, David Millar, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Bradley Wiggins.

Women (four to be selected): Lizzie Armitstead, Nicole Cooke, Katie Colclough, Sharon Laws, Lucy Martin, Emma Pooley.

BMX

Liam Phillips, Shanaze Reade

MOUNTAIN BIKE

Liam Killeen, Annie Last