Speed up anti-doping treaty
2006-02-07 21:57
Turin - International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge urged governments on Tuesday to speed up approval of global anti-doping rules before the Turin Games.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the IOC's annual session, Rogge expressed concern at the "very slow rate" of acceptance of the World Anti-Doping Code.
The code, adopted by all Olympic sports federations, sets out uniform rules and sanctions across all sports and countries in the fight against performance-enhancing drugs.
"We express the hope that the governments who have promised to adopt the code by the first day of the Olympic Games will accelerate their efforts," Rogge said.
The Olympics open Friday.
The doping code was incorporated in a treaty approved by Unesco member states in October. However, the accord doesn't formally go into force until at least 30 member governments ratify it.
So far, only seven countries have signed - Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Monaco.
World Anti-Doping Agency spokesperson Frederic Donze said other governments are expected to ratify the code in coming weeks and months.
- SAPA