Brussels, 21/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 17 May, the Sports Council organised a consultation debate on the role of public authorities in tackling the increased sophistication of doping in sport. Participants in the structured dialogue included Travis Tygart, the executive director of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and Patrick Hickey, the president of the European Olympic Committee (EOC).
Irish Minister for Sport Michael Ring highlighted the need for a coalition of all concerned stakeholders to tackle the problem of doping: public authorities, sports organisations, police and customs. The Irish minister indicated that there is a need to have legislation in place throughout Europe and step up and support scientific research. He also indicated that the idea of sport being clean needed to be maintained. He added that the people involved in doping, including sportsmen and women who use drugs and those proposing the products, had to be educated about the dangers of these products. Commissioner Vassiliou explained that if they wanted to remain effective, they needed ways for enabling them to stay ahead of those manufacturing doping products. She said that the European Commission needed to provide instruments for education and training and that the Commission had earmarked €750,000 for the 2010-2012 period to help cross-border projects to raise awareness about doping and the prevention measures that could be adopted. Tygart explained that doping was a great injustice and when there was cheating everyone lost out. He also said that, by attending this meeting they were demonstrating their concern and determination to take immediate action. Tygart alluded to recent doping cases, particularly cycling and the Lance Armstrong affair. Despite the blistering speeches made in this connection he regretted the fact that nothing concrete has been put in place to tackle the scourge. He considers that the fight against doping in sport must be based around the acronym “LIFE” “L” for legislation (strict application of regulation), “I” for Independence (anti-doping agencies), “F” for “Funding” (the fight against doping must be provided with sufficient funding) and “E” for “Engagement” (Engagement of all stakeholders: sports organisations, athletes, national agencies and the public authorities). Hickey said that the Olympic committees would continue to be vigilant whilst recognising the difficulty that existed in totally eradicating doping in sport. (IL/transl.fl)