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Olympic Review: Can there be any excuse for an athlete who tests positive for a banned substance?

Patrick Schamasch: The answer has to be no. We are bound by the World Anti-Doping Code's strict liability. But after a positive test, there is always the possibility of trying to find where and when the substance entered the body. That is where we may find some explanation which may lead to a graduation in the sanction, keeping in mind that the disqualification is always effective.

OR: How will the anti-doping procedures at Athens 2004 be different from four years ago in Sydney?
PS: We will have an increase in testing, with 25% more tests than there were in Sydney. That means that in the Games period there will be approximately 380 pre-competition tests and 2,385 post-competition tests. Most of the procedures will be the same and in order for us to stay one step ahead of those not playing fair, the athletes will not be informed of potential changes. One difference will be in the management of the results. The IOC Executive Board will appoint a Disciplinary Commission that will conduct hearings and give a recommendation to the Executive Board for a final decision. Full details of the testing procedure are available on the IOC's website, www.olympic.org.

OR: When does the Games period begin, and is testing limited to Greece?
PS: The Games period starts on 30 July, the date of the opening of the athletes' village, and finishes on 29 August, the date of the Closing Ceremony. Within this period, tests will be carried out around the world on athletes eligible to compete at the Games. If the athlete is at an Olympic venue, testing will be carried out by ATHOC, under IOC rules. If the athlete is outside the Olympic venue - whether in Greece or in another part of the world - then he or she will be tested under IOC rules, by WADA with a letter of authority from the IOC, and with IOC results management.

OR: There have been reports that Human Growth Hormone will be tested for at Athens 2004. Can you confirm this?
PS: The IOC and WADA are working very hard in order to have something ready to detect Human Growth Hormone in Athens. At this stage, we do not know whether it will be ready - and even if it is, we will certainly not announce it before.

OR: How long will samples be stored after the Olympic Games for possible re-testing in the future?
PS: In February, the Executive Board decided to extend the minimum period for keeping samples from two weeks to three months. After three months, we will decide what we will do.

OR: What exactly is the IOC's relationship with WADA before and during the Games?
PS: We have a very good relationship with WADA. Of course, the role of the IOC is limited to the period of the Games. But we have a task force which will harmonise tests done before and during the Games, first to prevent any expensive duplication, and second to ensure that testing targets are achieved. As well as implementing some pre-Games testing, WADA will also provide some independent observers during the Games.

OR: What rights does an athlete have if he or she tests positive at the Games in Athens?
PS: The first right is the option of having a B sample tested. The second right is for a fair hearing. He or she will have to explain in front of a Disciplinary Commission why the substance has been found in his or her body. The athlete has the right to be informed prior to any public disclosure. He or she has a right to a lawyer, doctor or physician or any other persons he or she wishes to see, up to a maximum of three people. The right of the defence will always be respected. The whole procedure should be completed within 24 hours during the Games.

OR: How do you react when an athlete tests positive for a banned substance? Does it sadden you - or are you pleased that a cheat has been removed from competition?
PS: From a human point of view, it is always a bad thing. It means a failure of education. We are never happy to see someone destroyed. From a positive point of view, it proves that we are working hard and that the money invested in the fight against doping has been well spent.

OR: Is the IOC winning the war against the cheats?
PS: We have won, and will win, many battles. To extend that to saying that we will win the final war I am not sure about, because doping is cheating and cheating is part of human mentality. The fight against doping is an IOC priority and we are winning more and more battles - the gap between the cheats and us is narrowing. In 1967, when we started the fight against doping, we could detect only 5% of substances. Now we can detect about 95% of substances. That is the main battle won.