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Sports need to act on drug positives

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UK Sport Press Release 27 July 2003

Governing bodies of sport were today warned that their handling of positive drug results would come under increased scrutiny when the UK implements the World Anti-Doping Code in April 2004. The warning came as UK Sport – the body responsible from promoting ethically fair and drug-free sport – published the latest set of quarterly results from its anti-doping programme which included a list of four cases still outstanding from 2001/02.

The cases in question involve findings for international and national governing bodies of amateur boxing (a finding for the stimulant ephedrine), disability sport (diuretic) rugby league (T/E ratio) and weight lifting (the anabolic agent stanozolol). The report also highlights seven cases from 2002/03 which have yet to reach a satisfactory conclusion. These are in athletics (ephedrine), boxing (phenylpropanolamine), snooker (cocaine), horse racing (cocaine), powerlifting (nandrolone), football (refusal to be tested) and weightlifting (T/E ratio).

Richard Callicott, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: "We want to draw to the attention of all sports that positive findings need to be dealt with and brought to a conclusion as quickly as possible. We don’t want to implement time frames because, as always, our main concern is that all cases are handled thoroughly and fairly. However, it is important that a conclusion is reached so that the right message can be sent out to athletes who may be tempted to cheat by using prohibited substances.

"At UK Sport, we intend to be fully compliant with all aspects of the World Anti-Doping Code by the end of April next year. A key part of the Code is the issue of results management. The standards laid out will put an increased emphasis on the handling of positive findings. The World Anti-Doping Agency has already signalled its intention to act as a clearing house for testing data and results. In addition, we are looking at ways of making information on findings available online for people so that everyone can follow the progress of each case."

The new Code, which was agreed at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in March, sets out to harmonise anti-doping activities and processes across different countries and different sports, creating a definitive set of standards covering testing, laboratory accreditation, banned substances and disciplinary measures.

Results for the quarter ending 30 June 2003 show that 1,307 drug tests were carried out on sportsmen and women in the UK. Of these, 949 were conducted at events (i.e. post-match or event tests), 59 at squad training sessions, and 299 as part of UK Sport’s out-of-competition testing of individuals programme in which seven sports have committed to 'anywhere, anytime’.

Of these, 44 have been reported to the relevant governing body for further investigation. That amounts to almost 3.4% of all tests – a higher proportion than usual mainly due to a case being dealt with by the Welsh Rugby Union in which 22 players refused to be tested at the end of a match in May. Nine of the findings are for stimulants, with the majority of these being for pseudoephedrine which is present in a number of over-the-counter hayfever and cold remedies. This highlights the need for athletes to check all medications before they take them, as Michele Verroken, Director of Drug-Free Sport at UK Sport, explains:

"Athletes must always have the strict liability rule that exists in sport at the front of the mind before they take any sort of medication. When visiting the pharmacist or doctor it is the athlete’s responsibility to tell them they may be subject to drug testing so must not take any medicines containing prohibited stimulants. We are delighted that the Code will also require athlete support personnel to share responsibility for an anti-doping rule violation if they provide prohibited substances or encourage their use."

During the quarter, 25 sports were involved in the testing programme. Governing bodies receiving most tests were: British Weight Lifters’ Association – 184; UK Athletics – 130; England and Wales Cricket Board – 85; Rugby Football League – 71; and Football Association – 67.

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