X-Message-Number: 21344 Date: Tue, 04 Mar 2003 12:34:45 -0800 From: James Swayze <> Subject: Some Governments Back Anti-Doping Code http://my.netscape.com/corewidgets/news/story.psp?cat=51180&id=200303041432000145823 Top News Tuesday, March 4, 2003 Some Governments Back Anti-Doping Code COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - International governments followed sports federations in supporting the approval of the first global anti-doping code. The United States, Russia and Iran on Tuesday made it clear they would back the World Anti-Doping Agency's uniform code on the second day of a three-day summit on drugs in sports. The 53-page code is to be put up for a vote Wednesday. ``Everybody is prepared to live with it,'' said Dick Pound, head of the World Anti-Doping Agency. The code establishes a single list of prohibited substances, ranging from steroids to stimulants to blood-boosting hormones. It also bans any form of genetic doping. Substances will be placed on the banned list if they meet at least two of three criteria: they are performance enhancing, they pose a health risk or they violate the ``spirit of sport.'' The U.S. Olympic Committee, the largest national Olympic body, wholeheartedly backed the code. ``We join you in the pursuit of the holy grail - one code for all leading to the elimination of doping in sport,'' said Paul George, head of the USOC delegation. The WADA and FIFA, soccer's governing body, agreed Tuesday that proposed two-year suspensions for violations should not be seen as mandatory, and agreed to establish a working group with other international federations to investigate circumstances of specific doping cases. ``It is a positive step,'' Pound said. The panel is expected to begin work as soon as next month, and will monitor all international doping sanctions. ``Under such circumstances, we can approve the code,'' FIFA's medical chief Michel D'Hooghe said. Officials said the code would not be perfect from the outset and would have to be adapted over time. The code is expected to be enacted by sports bodies before the 2004 Olympics, but governments have been given until the 2006 Winter Games in Turin, Italy, to sign up. Several European nations object to the exemption for U.S. pro leagues, which are not covered by international federations or the government. Russian Sports Minister Vyacheslav Fetisov, who won two Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings, said the code should extend to the American leagues. ``Professional leagues have to join the world sports family,'' he said. Pound has said the code first had to be approved before U.S. pro leagues could be pressured into compliance.[end] Very subtle ludditism. James -- Cryonics Institute of Michigan Member! The Immortalist Society Member! The Society for Venturism Member! MY WEBSITE: http://www.geocities.com/~davidpascal/swayze/ A FAVORITE quote: Last lines of the first Star Trek the Next Generation movie. Capt. Picard: "What we leave behind is not as important as how we've lived, after all Number One, we're only mortal." Will Ryker: "Speak for yourself captain, I intend to live forever!" Rate This Message: http://www.cryonet.org/cgi-bin/rate.cgi?msg=21344