Ireland to sign anti-doping initiative

Ireland is to sign up to a worldwide anti-doping initiative, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, John O'Donoghue said today.

He was speaking as the 2002 Annual Report of the Anti-Doping Unit of the Irish Sports Council showed six positive dope tests last year.

During 2002, the 3rd third year of operation of the Anti-Doping Programme, a total of 841 tests were carried out. There were 6 positive findings in 2002, compared with 12 in 2000 and 4 in 2001.

There are 54 sports signed up and participating in the Irish Sport Anti-Doping Programme.

Meanwhile the Copenhagen anti-doping initiative will be signed by Ireland, according to Minister O'Donoghue.

The anti-doping declaration is the most significant international development in the fight against doping as it ensures international support for the World Anti-Doping Agency and its new Code.

In Copenhagen in March the new World Anti-Doping Code was accepted as the basis for the future fight against doping in sport.

The Code is the first international instrument to harmonize rules regarding doping across all sports and all nations.