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IOC to get tough on doping tests for all Athens games
Athens, Oct 25: Olympics organisers have vowed to conduct the toughest doping tests of any Games in Athens next year.
Athens, Oct 25: Olympics organisers have vowed to conduct the toughest doping tests of any Games in Athens next year.
With the sporting world rocked this week by the identification of a previously undetectable drug, Athens organisers (ATHOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday (October 24) that there would be no compromises in the drug fight, even if it meant leaving sports biggest event next August without top athletes. "We are the first ones to want clean Games", ATHOC chief Gianna Angelopoulos told reporters, adding: "We will strictly follow the rules of the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency." While refusing to speculate on the damage the latest crisis could cause to next years event, IOC chief inspector Denis Oswald, who was in Athens to monitor preparation for the Games, said: "The fight against doping is really a priority of the IOC. We also want the Games to be clean, and we will make every, every effort to test the athletes and make sure the cheaters are not taking part in the games. You say big stars, if they take drugs for me they are not stars." Four unnamed U.S. athletes and Britain's European champion sprinter Dwain Chambers are confirmed as having given positive A sample urine tests for the previously unknown steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).
U.S., British, German and Greek sports authorities have started re-testing thousands of samples dating back months to try to identify the extent of the performance-enhancing drugs use.
Oswald said "We will use the best possible techniques, the latest possible technology in order to trace drugs which have the reputation to be not detectable."
Athletes taking THG face a two-year suspension from all competition and a life-time ban from the Olympic Games. The drug was considered untraceable until a few days ago.
The IOC inspection team conducted one of its last inspection tours before its final visit in the spring of 2004, ahead of the Games, which begin on August 13.
Oswald gave an upbeat assessment of preparations for the Games despite concerns that remain concerning the roof of the Olympic stadium and two transport projects, namely, the light rail system and the tram line.
The IOC chief said he had been given assurances by the government that all projects would be completed by the start of the Games and contingency plans would not be necessary, although they do exist.
The rail system will reach Athens international airport and the tram system which will link southern Athens to the centre. The two transport works are crucial to alleviating traffic congestion for the games, plaguing the city on a daily basis and stifling movement.
Oswald said the roof of the Olympic Stadium, an original design by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava was still a major concern but assurances also came from the companies responsible for building the work it would be finished.
IOC officials had suggested the project be cancelled, deeming it unnecessary and taking precious construction time away from other projects. But the work is considered a pet project of the government who has insisted it continue.
Bureaucracy and government infighting had caused years of delays in preparations for the Olympic Games which had rung alarm bells within the IOC. Since last year however significant movement was made to speed up works.
Oswald warned that "Time is the most important factor and especially where you are in the last lap of your competition. Time is important and time is getting short."
But the Olympic chief inspector placed confidence in the ability of the IOC and ATHOC to finish preparations for the Games on time. "I think the IOC, ATHOC, and the government will have the necessary stamina to make the necessary sprint in the last lap to cross the finish line successfully", Oswald said.
Bureau Report
With the sporting world rocked this week by the identification of a previously undetectable drug, Athens organisers (ATHOC) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Friday (October 24) that there would be no compromises in the drug fight, even if it meant leaving sports biggest event next August without top athletes. "We are the first ones to want clean Games", ATHOC chief Gianna Angelopoulos told reporters, adding: "We will strictly follow the rules of the International Olympic Committee and the World Anti-Doping Agency." While refusing to speculate on the damage the latest crisis could cause to next years event, IOC chief inspector Denis Oswald, who was in Athens to monitor preparation for the Games, said: "The fight against doping is really a priority of the IOC. We also want the Games to be clean, and we will make every, every effort to test the athletes and make sure the cheaters are not taking part in the games. You say big stars, if they take drugs for me they are not stars." Four unnamed U.S. athletes and Britain's European champion sprinter Dwain Chambers are confirmed as having given positive A sample urine tests for the previously unknown steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).
U.S., British, German and Greek sports authorities have started re-testing thousands of samples dating back months to try to identify the extent of the performance-enhancing drugs use.
Oswald said "We will use the best possible techniques, the latest possible technology in order to trace drugs which have the reputation to be not detectable."
Athletes taking THG face a two-year suspension from all competition and a life-time ban from the Olympic Games. The drug was considered untraceable until a few days ago.
The IOC inspection team conducted one of its last inspection tours before its final visit in the spring of 2004, ahead of the Games, which begin on August 13.
Oswald gave an upbeat assessment of preparations for the Games despite concerns that remain concerning the roof of the Olympic stadium and two transport projects, namely, the light rail system and the tram line.
The IOC chief said he had been given assurances by the government that all projects would be completed by the start of the Games and contingency plans would not be necessary, although they do exist.
The rail system will reach Athens international airport and the tram system which will link southern Athens to the centre. The two transport works are crucial to alleviating traffic congestion for the games, plaguing the city on a daily basis and stifling movement.
Oswald said the roof of the Olympic Stadium, an original design by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava was still a major concern but assurances also came from the companies responsible for building the work it would be finished.
IOC officials had suggested the project be cancelled, deeming it unnecessary and taking precious construction time away from other projects. But the work is considered a pet project of the government who has insisted it continue.
Bureaucracy and government infighting had caused years of delays in preparations for the Olympic Games which had rung alarm bells within the IOC. Since last year however significant movement was made to speed up works.
Oswald warned that "Time is the most important factor and especially where you are in the last lap of your competition. Time is important and time is getting short."
But the Olympic chief inspector placed confidence in the ability of the IOC and ATHOC to finish preparations for the Games on time. "I think the IOC, ATHOC, and the government will have the necessary stamina to make the necessary sprint in the last lap to cross the finish line successfully", Oswald said.
Bureau Report