British Olympic Association Statement Concerning Mr. Michael Fibbens

The swimmer, Mr Michael Fibbens, appealed against a BOA bye-law, which states that any person found guilty of a doping offence is ineligible for consideration as a future member of the Great Britain Olympic Team.

The British Olympic Association’s (BOA) Independent Appeal Panel on Doping ruled that Mr Fibbens’ appeal should not be allowed.

The BOA’s bye-law allows for an appeal on the basis that the offence was minor or that there were significant mitigating circumstances.

The prohibited substance, Benzoylecgonine, a diagnostic metabolite of cocaine, was found in the urine sample Mr Fibbens provided for in competition testing following a Sheffield swimming competition on March 14 1998.

The Panel concluded from the evidence provided that there were no significant mitigating circumstances in relation to the doping offence. The Panel also concluded that the offence was not minor since the banned stimulant cocaine is classified for in competition testing under the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) Medical Code as prohibited under Class 1 (A) of its list of prohibited substances.

In accordance with the bye-law, the Panel ruled that Mr Fibbens should not be considered eligible for consideration as a member of any future Great Britain Olympic Team.

Commenting on the decision, the BOA’s Chief Executive Simon Clegg said: ‘The BOA’s doping bye-law was established in 1992 as a direct result of an initiative from the BOA’s Athletes’ Commission. The Commission recognised the high ethical and moral standards expected of members of Team GB, particularly as they act as role models to aspiring athletes throughout the country. I am saddened that such an experienced and seasoned Olympic athlete as Mike Fibbens has found these standards too high to uphold and regret that he will not be in a position to join Team GB in Sydney.’

Source: British Olympic Association