ISC sound warning by expanding anti-doping plan

THE Irish Sports Council is continuing to expand it’s anti-doping programme and, while the number of positive tests recorded last year were down in line with international statistics, sports bodies were advised yesterday to be vigilant.

ISC members were briefed on the anti-doping measures as well as the likely performance of athletes at next year’s Olympic Games at a meeting in the Waterford Institute of Technology. Last year 841 tests were carried out under the anti-doping programme. There were six positive findings compared to 12 in 2000 and four in 2001. Out of competition testing continued to grow and alcohol testing was introduced for motor sports.

ISC chief executive John Treacy said the anti-doping programme was going very well and said the organisation was very happy with the support and co-operation which it was getting from National Governing Bodies.