IOC announces more stringent measures in its fight against doping

IOC announces more stringent measures in its fight against doping

Jacques Rogge, Président du CIO

©IOC/R. Juilliart
10 April 2008


In a move that further strengthens its armoury in the fight against doping, the IOC Executive Board today approved the Anti-Doping Rules for the Olympic Games in Beijing this summer. Outlined in a 41 page document which will be sent to all participants and posted on the IOC's web site - the rules describe the anti-doping regulations and procedures, including more stringent measures, that will be in force from 27 July (day of the opening of the Olympic Village) to 24 August (day of the Closing Ceremony).


Allied with an increase in the number of tests - up from 3,600 in Athens to 4,500, whereby as a general rule all top 5 finishers plus a further two will be tested, the fortified rules serve as a clear demonstration of the IOC's commitment to ensuring athletes play fair in Beijing.


Specific new elements include:
- the provision that all athletes participating in the Olympic Games in Beijing will be subject to doping controls at any time or place, with no advance notice.
- the fact that athletes who miss a test on two separate occasions during the Games or on one occasion during Games plus two in the 18 months prior, will be considered to have committed an anti-doping rule violation.
- possession of any substance from the list of prohibited substances would constitute a violation (previously only a selection from the prohibited list would have applied)
Over 1,000 people will be involved in the anti-doping programme from laboratory staff to sample-collection personnel and chaperones. A total of 206 people will accompany athletes until their arrival at the anti-doping control station. Strict security will be in force throughout the entire process including overseeing the transportation of blood and urine samples.


The increase in the number of tests is significant and will concern pre-competition controls, which have proven to be decisive. Of these 4,500 tests around 700 to 800 are said to apply to urine EP0 detection and 900 will be blood tests.


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In another doping related decision taken today, the Executive Board disqualified the team mates of Marion Jones (previously disqualified from the Sydney 2000 Games) in the United States Women Relay team from the 4x100 meters race where the team placed third and the 4x400 meters race where the team placed first.


The USOC has been asked to return to the IOC all medals and diplomas awarded to the athletes involved.


The issue of reallocating the medals and diplomas – including those of Marion Jones’ – will be addressed by the Executive Board in due course pending further information in the BALCO affair.