Pubdate: Tue, 02 Feb 1999 Source: Associated Press Copyright: 1999 Associated Press Author: Raf Casert IOC PANEL PROPOSES BANS FOR DRUGS LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch opened a world summit on drugs in sport by calling for a new drive to wipe out "this odious and unhealthy form of cheating." In his opening address, Samaranch also referred to the corruption scandals which have plunged the IOC into the worst crisis of its 105-year history. "As you all know, over the last few weeks the International Olympic Committee has been confronted with a serious situation with regard to allegations of wrongdoing leveled against some of its members," Samaranch said today. "We have swiftly taken all the necessary measures and are continuing our investigations to ensure that Olympic ethics are respected." Nine IOC members have resigned or been expelled for receiving cash payments, gifts and other favors stemming from Salt Lake City's winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games. Turning to the drug problem, Samaranch proposed the creation of an international anti-doping agency to coordinate drug testing around the world one of the centerpieces of the three-day conference. He said the agency should be autonomous and run by a board of directors composed of Olympic officials, scientists and representatives of government and non-governmental organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Critics have insisted that the agency must be fully independent to have any credibility, an issue which will certainly play a major role during the rest of the conference. On Sunday, Samaranch said he would oversee the agency and proposed that IOC medical commission chief Prince Alexandre de Merode should run the body on a day-to-day basis. The proposal has already drawn opposition from delegates and IOC members. Samaranch said de Merode had done "a very good job" as the Olympic drug chief for almost three decades. His detractors claim he has been largely ineffective while doping has become one of the chief issues in sports. In today's speech, Samaranch said athletes had turned to doping in "the pursuit of victory at all costs." On the controversial issue of drug sanctions, Samaranch said the IOC cannot force sports federations to apply specific penalties. "We apply sanctions whenever they are necessary," he said. "But we are not a court and we do not wish to become one. All we ask is for the rules we have set to be observed by all those concerned." He said "corrective and emergency methods" have a limited effect and that a campaign of prevention and education would prove more successful in the long run. He also called on governments and pharmaceutical companies to collaborate in the fight against drugs, including drug trafficking. Among those scheduled to speak today was White House drug czar Barry McCaffrey. On the eve of the conference, McCaffrey said the Olympic movement faced ruin unless effective steps were taken to curb the escalating drug problem. McCaffrey planned to call on the IOC to accept a fully independent worldwide anti-doping agency. He opposed plans that would give Olympic officials effective control of the proposed body. "Independent doesn't mean dependent," McCaffrey aide Bob Weiner said Monday. "He is pushing for true independence with random outside audits and verification." McCaffrey was hoping the meeting would smooth the way for a "level playing field" for all competitors from around the world. But proposals of an IOC working group to streamline drug policies around the globe already ran into obstacles before the meeting started. The panel proposed that athletes face life bans and fines of up to $1 million if found guilty of serious cases of "intentional doping" and suggested selective bans for some first-time offenders. The world soccer federation call the proposals too tough and unworkable while the swimming federation said a unified anti-doping stance would be impossible under such circumstances. - --- MAP posted-by: Patrick Henry