Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2003


 By Paul Gains

 While some cycling purists consider the sport to be distinctly European it is a Canadian who helps UCI President Hein Verbruggen manage his multiple portfolios.

 Ten years ago, Audrey Zuttel left Montreal to attend university in Switzerland, the land of her birth. After graduation she found herself employed in a variety of positions with Swiss companies gaining valuable business experience. Then a chance interview with the UCI two years ago opened the door to the position she currently holds as assistant to Mr. Verbruggen.

 The affable "thirty-something" lady is privvy to much sensitive information since she is Mr. Verbruggen's liaison with the International Olympic Committee and other sport governing bodies including the World Anti-Doping Agency. She will be present Friday no doubt when fellow Montrealer Dick Pound, WADA's chairman, comes to town for meetings that many hope will result in normalisation of relations between the two groups.

 Understandably Ms. Zuttel's schedule is very busy, for not only is Verbruggen the full-time president of the UCI - a voluntary position - but also an important member of the IOC. Recently he was appointed Chairman of the Coordination Committee of the IOC's 29th Summer Olympic Games to be held in Beijing five years hence. Naturally, she has ample opportunities to travel the world.

 "I didn't travel with him to China but maybe during the Olympics I will be able to go to China," she says, "but I do work on the China file."

 "I go where the championships go and sometimes with the IOC. My whole family is in Montreal my parents and my sister. I will be flying to Montreal on Monday. I try to come every year to 18 months that's my limit then I get homesick."

 The return of the world cycling championships to Canada - they have not been held in this country since 1974 - has meant Ms. Zuttel has renewed aquaintances. A good friend lives in nearby Burlington, Ontario for instance and she was able to join his family for dinner earlier this week. Clearly she is excited about the championships being in Canada.

 "Yes, I am very proud and it is very thrilling to have the championships and to be able to show my colleagues where I come from and also to work in my country," she explains.

 "What is interesting about working with an international federation is not only the cycling but you get introduced to all the other international federations and into a world of sports that is huge and interesting. It is a very passionate working experience, overall."

 So has the Montrealer become an expert in cycling?

 "I am not a cycling expert," she says laughing. "I learn every day about cycling. And I have started cycling myself a little bit. I ride on the track at our world cycling centre. In my position it's an overall sport experience with cycling being the focus. I would like to spend a couple of more years in cycling and then maybe I will be a cycling expert!"