Sir Bradley Wiggins has denied allegations that he used a drug to enhance his performance for the 2012 Tour de France.
The 37-year-old became the first British cyclist to win the Tour de France, in the same year that he scooped Olympic gold at the London Games.
This week, a parliamentary report accused Wiggins and Team Sky boss Sir Dave Brailsford of cheating to win the elite race by allowing the use of drug Triamcinolone.
The cyclist has denied allegations that he used the drug nine times, but has admitted to taking the substance for medical reasons.
Speaking to BBC News, Wiggins said: "Not at any time during my career did we cross the ethical line. As I've said before I had a medical condition that I went to a doctor. This has been being treated since back in 2003 when I was diagnosed with it through the doctors at British Cycling at that time.
"This was the treatment that I'd been prescribed for that particular occasion which was, what, seven years ago now, and under specialist supervision as well. And in place of the rules at that time, which you were allowed to apply for use for this medication. This wasn't a medication that was abused in order to gain an advantage."
Shane Sutton, who was part of the coaching team that helped Wiggins earn victory in 2012, has claimed that the cyclist and Brailsford acted 'unethically'.
"These allegations... I mean it's the worst thing to be accused of. I've said that before. But it's also the hardest thing to prove you haven't done because we're not dealing in a legal system," Wiggins continued during his interview with BBC News.
"I'd have had more rights if I'd murdered someone in this process. I've been gagged for the last 18 months because there was a legal investigation going on, so I couldn't say anything."
Wiggins retired from professional cycling in December 2016.
Danielle Joynson
