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
--
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