Gymnastics Hits out at Surprise Double Doping Tests
Moutier, June 28, 2001: The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique (FIG) showed considerable surprise when, on June 15 – 17, 2001 at the Rhythmic Gymnastics European Championships (Juniors and Seniors) in Geneva, during the competition, four Norwegian WADA delegates commissioned by the World Antidoping Agency (AMA-WADA) proceeded with antidoping controls concurrently with the official controls carried out by the Swiss Olympic Association, and under the supervision of the European Union and the Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique.
Agreements between the FIG and the WADA had clearly defined the roles of each, specifying that the WADA should attend to out of competition controls, or surprise testing.
One might easily imagine our national federations’ astonishment, with numerous gymnasts (25) facing a double control in Rhythmic Gymnastics, a discipline that causes us to wonder whether it does, in reality, necessitate priority status in the fight against doping.
Backed up by the Continental Unions, the FIG has been vigorously fighting against doping for many years, carrying out controls at every one of its competitions, whether the World Championships or World Cup Finals. The FIG had hoped to supplement these controls with out of competition testing in order to locate prohibited substances that might have been used during the training period; for this specific kind of testing, the FIG required the WADA.
Nevertheless, the FIG would like to emphasise that it remains solely responsible for all facets of the antidoping policy in relation to gymnasts.
For more details contact:
Philippe Silacci, FIG
Tel: +41 32 494 6410
E-mail: psilacci@fig-gymnastics.org
www.fig-gymnastics.com
Agreements between the FIG and the WADA had clearly defined the roles of each, specifying that the WADA should attend to out of competition controls, or surprise testing.
One might easily imagine our national federations’ astonishment, with numerous gymnasts (25) facing a double control in Rhythmic Gymnastics, a discipline that causes us to wonder whether it does, in reality, necessitate priority status in the fight against doping.
Backed up by the Continental Unions, the FIG has been vigorously fighting against doping for many years, carrying out controls at every one of its competitions, whether the World Championships or World Cup Finals. The FIG had hoped to supplement these controls with out of competition testing in order to locate prohibited substances that might have been used during the training period; for this specific kind of testing, the FIG required the WADA.
Nevertheless, the FIG would like to emphasise that it remains solely responsible for all facets of the antidoping policy in relation to gymnasts.
For more details contact:
Philippe Silacci, FIG
Tel: +41 32 494 6410
E-mail: psilacci@fig-gymnastics.org
www.fig-gymnastics.com