Paralympic Drugs Code Launched
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) this week issued its new Anti-Doping Code which will apply at all IPC sanctioned events, including the 2004 Paralympics in Athens which get underway on 17 September.
The IPC Code has been revised to fully comply with the World Anti-Doping Code which will be in place at the start of the Olympic Games in August.
The IPC was among the bodies which pledged its commitment to the Code when it was agreed at the World Conference on Doping in Sport in March 2003. It has now following the lead of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), in threatening to omit sports and nations not signed up to the Code from the Athens Games.
"The IPC has ruled that all National Paralympic Committees and sports wishing to take part in the Paralympics must declare their acceptance and recognition of the World Anti-Doping Code," said IPC President Phil Craven. "Those that do not, will be deemed ineligible to participate. We believe that this is the strongest message we can send to our members."
Phil Lane, Chief Executive of the British Paralympic Association (BPA), backed the move: "We have already signed up to the Code and we fully endorse the stand that the International Paralympic Committee are taking. We are working very hard to make sure all our athletes are fully informed and get the right message, which is that we do not tolerate drugs."
UK Sport’s John Scott added: "We feel that all sportsmen and women, whether they be able-bodied or disabled, should be treated the same when it comes to anti-doping, and are delighted to see the commitment being made to the Code by the Paralympic movement. We look forward to working closely with the BPA on developing a thorough education and testing programme in the run up to Athens."
