Performance Enhancing Drugs May Become Criminal Offence
The use of performance-enhancing drugs may become a criminal offence after talks are held between UK Sport and law-enforcement agencies.
UK Sport are due to hold discussions with the Home Office, the police and the Serious Organised Crime Agency as it develops a structure for the new National Anti-Doping Organisation.
The talks come after Marion Jones, the US triple Olympic gold medallist, was disgraced and sent to prison in March having all her medals taken from her, sending a strong message to athletes.
This summer’s Beijing Olympic Games will see the most widespread anti-doping campaign in the UK’s Olympic history with every British athlete competing being tested for performance-enhancing drugs. The aim is to set the standard in the run-up to the 2012 London games.
The Beijing Olympics will see 1,500 athletes travelling to China being screened as part of ‘a no-compromise approach’ to prevent doping cheats. UK Sport stated last week it will carry out random tests on athletes’ blood and urine. An education campaign will be running alongside the testing in an effort to prevent any British athlete being caught out.
All eyes will be on controversial sprinter Dwain Chambers on Wednesday when a High Court ruling determines whether he is allowed to compete in this year’s Olympics.
