UK Sport

Athletes heed drug-free message

Russell Langley 24 January 2003

The majority of British athletes are heeding the drug-free message and steering clear of banned substances. Figures released today by UK Sport show that 98.6% of athletes tested for drugs between October and December 2002 produced negative results.

A total of 1,135 tests were carried out during the period, covering both UK and overseas competitors in 19 different sports. The tests conducted by UK Sport – the body responsible for promoting ethically fair and drug-free sport in the UK – found that only 18 test results needed to be referred to governing bodies for further investigation.

Of these:

eight were for stimulants (one caffeine, four ephedrine, three cocaine);
two were for anabolic agents;
two were for diuretics;
three were for marijuana;
three were for refusal to take a test.

Michele Verroken, Director of Drug-Free Sport at UK Sport, said: "The worldwide average for positive findings is around 2%. The number of positive findings from the UK programme is consistently lower than this, which is excellent news and shows that the vast majority of our athletes are competing fairly.

"The results show that the UK’s anti-doping programme is having an impact. UK Sport is delivering a fair, transparent and rigorous programme. We know that the vast majority of athletes want to compete drug-free. The programme aims to educate athletes about not only what substances they can and can’t take, but also the importance of checking before they take anything.

"In addition, through our testing programme, we identify those who have taken banned substances and ensure that appropriate investigations and, where necessary, disciplinary actions follow. We are very encouraged by how the drug-free message seems to be hitting home with Britain’s sportsmen and women."

The results release from UK Sport comes a year to the day since the launch of the UK’s national anti-doping policy. One of the main aims of the policy was to clarify the responsibilities of national governing bodies in the testing process, to ensure that they properly review and act on the test results reported to them by UK Sport. Richard Callicott, Chief Executive of UK Sport, is pleased about the impact the policy has made.

"The policy, together with the switch to the quarterly reporting of test results, has made the governing bodies more aware of their responsibilities, particularly with regard to results management, and they are reacting positively to these developments," he explained. "We are finding that cases reported to the governing bodies for further action are being dealt with more swiftly and efficiently than before.

"This is important as it shows athletes, and the nation’s sports fans, the level of commitment that exists in the fight for drug-free sport."

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