Drugs in sport: Germans' lite inquiry

Wednesday 01 March 1995 19:02 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

DRUGS IN SPORT

German sports authorities are to investigate allegations that track and field athletes are involved in serious drug abuse at one of their lite Olympic training centres. A German sports federation spokesman, Harald Pieper, said yesterday that the leader of the Cologne and Leverkusen Olympic training centre had informed the federation of his concern over the alleged cheating.

"If the accusations are confirmed, it is a very serious problem," Pieper said. "The DSB board discussed the matter last Friday and plans further hearings on the issue in the next months. We don't know if it's a matter of systematic doping or whatever. This has to be looked into.

"If the accusations turn out to be true, it would be a setback for our campaign against drug abuse which is one of the best in the world."

A Chinese sports leader said yesterday that some of his country's athletes are still using banned stimulants as a series of anti-drug measures designed to send users to jail were unveiled in Peking. China's vice sports minister, Yuan Weimin, said: "A small group of fame and fortune-seeking athletes are still using stimulants."

A total of 31 Chinese athletes, including a sucession of swimmers, tested positive last year.

The Chinese have published draft rules that would send violators to jail, impose heavy fines, make coaches liable and increase the frequency of out-of-competition tests. The annoucement came just before the arrival in Peking of an international federation inquiry team.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in