Former Olympian calls on IOC to strengthen doping policy
The International Olympic Committee should create a “universal policy” which reinforces Britain’s tough stance on drugs cheats.
Sarah Winckless, a former Olympic rower who chairs the British Olympic Association’s athletes commission, called for the IOC to act after it emerged this week that the BOA bylaw which bans convicted drugs cheats from all future Olympic Games is set to be overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Such a ruling would pave the way for the likes of sprinter Dwain Chambers and cyclist David Millar to compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in London despite having been found guilty of doping offences and Winckless believes a consistent and tough policy is now required across the board.
She told the Sunday Times: “The athletes have always been pretty clear on where they stand on this issue. There’s overwhelming support for the BOA bylaw.
“My personal belief is that the one body which has the power and unifying strength to make a real difference in reinforcing Britain’s policy on drugs is the IOC itself. We need a universal policy so that everyone knows exactly where they stand and athletes know that cheating cannot pay.”
The IOC’s Rule 45, known as the Osaka Rule, has already been deemed non-compliant by CAS under the World Anti-Doping Code (WADC). The rule stated that athletes suspended for six months or more for a doping offence should not be permitted to compete at the next Olympic Games.
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