CHIEF BACKS INTERNATIONAL DOPING CODE

British Swimming Chief Executive David Sparkes has backed an international doping code that will harmonise anti-doping policies and procedures across all countries and all sports.

The Code was agreed at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Copenhagen last March and will come into force at the start of the 2004 Olympics in Athens.

President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Richard Pound stated that the aim of the code was “simply to protect those athletes who do not cheat”.

The code works on the principle of strict liability whereby sportsmen and women are responsible for any prohibited substances found in their system, regardless of whether or not they have performance-enhancing capabilities.

Responding to accusations that this may be unfair on athletes who unwittingly fall foul of the rules, Pound said: “Strict liability is essential and very easy to understand. If a substance is on the prohibited list you don’t take it – simple. I really can’t imagine a viable alternative.”

Sparkes agreed “strict liability is the only way” and added that the policy works provided everyone knows exactly where they stand. “The emphasis must be on the education of athletes, coaches and their support staff. There is then no excuse for falling foul of the law.”

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Contact: Dave Richards, Senior Press Officer British Swimming, on 01509 618756, mobile 0778 992 6136 or email david.richards@swimming.org

British Swimming is the National Governing Body for Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming, Water Polo and Open Water in Great Britain. It is responsible internationally for the high performance representation of the sport. The members of British Swimming are the three Home Countries national governing bodies of England (Amateur Swimming Association), Scotland (Scottish Amateur Swimming Association) and Wales. (Welsh Amateur Swimming Association) British Swimming seeks to enable its athletes to achieve gold medal success at the Olympics, Paralympics, World Championships and Commonwealth Games.

Published: 23 December