Rogge will discuss doping measures for the Games in February
|
Olympic chief Jacques Rogge heads to Italy next month to discuss softening the country's tough anti-doping laws during the Winter Olympics in Turin.
The International Olympic Committee president will meet Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi on 17 November.
Under Italian law athletes can face criminal action for doping violations, which Games government supervisor Mario Pescante fears may upset the event.
"The IOC fears police raids in the athletes' village," said Pescante.
Italy's doping laws are much more severe than IOC regulations, which can only impose disqualifications and suspensions on athletes who test positive for banned substances.
Pescante is trying to get these laws suspended during the Winter Olympics, which take place on 10-26 February.
"Personally I am opposed to sending athletes to jail for doping," Pescante added. "We need to apply the laws to suppliers and doctors, not athletes.
"Two-year sport bans are devastating enough."
~RS~a~RS~Domestic~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~58~RS~){kind=small}
MMIX
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
