IOC chief vows to continue war on drugs

IOC chief vows to continue war on drugs
Agence France Presse

Sydney, September 10: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Juan Antonio Samaranch admitted here on Sunday that the battle against drug cheats was far from being won.

But Samaranch, opening the 111th IOC session at the famed Sydney Opera House, vowed that there would be no let-up in the effort to rid sport of doping.

``Victory at all costs pushes some people to resort to illegal and totally dishonorable means to provide those athletes for whom they are responsible with what is often an illusionary advantage over their rivals,'' Samaranch said.

``Such attitudes and behavior are serious violations of the sporting regulations decreed by the IOC, the international sports federations, the National Olympic Committees and many governments.

``Nevertheless, and despite continued implementation of control measures as part of the co-ordination of standards of prevention and sanctions between all the parties involved, the field of play remains open.''

Samaranch added that as well as sanctions for drug cheats, there needs to be an educational campaign launched at all levels to rid sport of the scourge of drugs.

The 80-year-old IOC president, who retires in July next year, also said that the reforms started after the Salt Lake City gifts-for-votes scandal, which saw six IOC members expelled and four more resign, must continue.

``The reforms recently undertaken demonstrate fully the unity we so cherish and the solidarity which motivates us,'' he said.

``More reforms will be made in the future to respond to the demands of the time. Today's world is developing rapidly and we need to adapt.

Samaranch also called for the promotion of women in the higher echelons of sport.

``I would like to appeal to international and National sports organisations to encourage women's access to positions of responsibility,'' he said.