The IOC Executive Board issued a statement today regarding doping heading into the Olympic Games in Rio this summer, stating:
The fight against doping is a top priority for the IOC, which has established a zero-tolerance policy. Today, we are taking further decisive action to protect the clean athletes at the Olympic Games Rio 2016. The IOC will not hesitate to punish anyone within its reach responsible for using or providing doping products or methods, including officials, coaches and other members of the athlete’s entourage.
The Executive Board gave their full support to the following actions:
1. Pre-Olympic Testing Programme
The budget for the pre-Olympic testing programme is now doubled. The programme comes on top of the extensive programme already being carried out by International Federations and National Anti-Doping Organisations. Special focus will be put on countries where the testing programme is non-compliant – Kenya, Russia and Mexico. A special focus will also be put on those sports which WADA has declared most affected.
2. The Re-Testing Programme
The Disciplinary Commission has already been set up and is working, and International Federations are working for swift decisions including the suspension of all implicated athletes for the Olympic Games Rio 2016.
3. Meeting of Stakeholders
An Olympic Stakeholder meeting in June will coordinate and harmonise the approach among IFs, which take the first decision of the eligibility of athletes with respect to qualification for and participation in the Olympic Games. The discussion will have to address the difficult decision between collective responsibility and individual justice.
4. Extension of the Re-Testing Programme
The re-analysis programme for the Olympic Games Beijing 2008 and London 2012 will be further extended. Together with WADA, we will target medallists from both Olympic Games for possible re-analysis.
5. Olympic Summit in October
An Olympic Summit will evaluate and review the entire doping programme and measures being taken for the Olympic Games Rio 2016. The IOC will continue to push for all testing independent from sports organisations and to harmonise national and international testing under the leadership of a new entity. The IOC will lead by example and establish such an independent process, working with WADA, to be in place for the Olympic Winter Games PyeongChang 2018.
The five actions being supported by the IOC will hopefully lead to a clean and fair Olympic Games.
Find the official release by the IOC here.
