Speaking under condition of anonymity the IOC member, in the wake of the revelation that Kazkh rider Alexandre Vinokourov had failed a test for blood doping -- possibly two according to a report -- said that the constant spate of scandals had placed it in serious danger of being voted out at the 2009 session of the IOC in Copenhagen.

"Cycling is now a serious point of concern among IOC members," he told AFP.

"There is scandal after scandal and it is in serious danger of exiting the Olympics."

He added that there were several sports -- seen to be clean in the eyes of IOC members -- who were lobbying hard for inclusion and could well supplant cycling as a sport at the global showpiece.

"Softball, rugby and karate are seen to be clean sports and do not carry the dirt of doping in cycling.

"Cycling is dreadful for the image of the Olympic movement and the Games itself."

Were cycling to be ejected it would see it barred from the 2016 Summer Games and with a fight on its hands to regain admission for the 2020 edition.