The two German public radio and TV stations ARD and ZDF are determined to put more pressure on professional sports in the fight against doping. This week, the main sports broadcasters in Germany signed new deals with the German equestrian and handball federations, which included "doping clauses" allowing them to pull out of their engagement if a doping scandal erupts in the particular sport.
These contracts are planned for all 32 German sports federations, including cycling. "With this, we want to increase the pressure on the federations, organisers and sponsors," said ZDF editor in chief Nikolaus Brender, after Tour de France audition figures this July dropped because of the doping scandal involving, amongst others, Jan Ullrich.
