Former elite French cyclist Marion Sicot was found criminally guilty on Wednesday 22 January of possessing and importing banned doping products from 2016 -2019.

A French Montargis Judicial Court sentenced the 32 year-old to 10 months in prison and fined her 5000 euros, but the court also suspended the sentence – meaning she will not spend any time behind bars.

Sicot tested positive for Erythropoietin (EPO) at the 2019 French Road Championships where she finished 9th, but afterwards repeatedly denied having used the performance enhancing drug. Though, she later publicly admitted to having injected EPO three days before the race. Subsequently Sicot was found guilty of doping violations and received a 4 year ban from sport.

In 2024 prosecutors uncovered additional facts and criminally charged Sicot “for acts of import and possession of doping products,” including EPO.

During her recent court proceedings Sicot claimed that using EPO did not advance her cycling career, while adding, “I regret cheating and lying. I dirtied my sport. I took the easy way out.”

Photo Credit: Le Dauphine Libre

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