Athens will rise above drugs scandals - Rogge

International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge today insisted the Athens Games would not be overshadowed by the rumbling drugs controversies surrounding the high-profile BALCO athletes and unnamed American swimmers.

Rogge stated yesterday that the IOC, under his leadership, would take a zero tolerance policy towards corruption and doping in sport but was today asked to explain why athletes under suspicion of taking drugs are allowed to compete in Athens.

“All athletes that will participate in the Games are all athletes who have not been found guilty of doping,” said Rogge.

“We know there is a question mark on certain athletes but the disciplinary procedure on these athletes has not led to a proof of guilt.

“As long as there is not proof of guilt, the athlete is eligible.

“Do I believe these cases will tarnish the Games? No, I believe the Games are too strong for that.

“We are looking forward to the Games.”

Rogge explained that any athlete proposed by his country’s National Olympic Committee was welcomed into the Games because any doping infringement which occurs outside of the Olympics is the responsibility of the IAAF.

But he did reiterate his warning that athletes could be punished retrospectively.

“(If) there is an investigation pending, and we know that in certain cases in the United States of America, we have to wait for these results. Proper action will be taken after the Games if that is needed,” he said.

Defending 100m champion Marion Jones is the only athlete implicated in the BALCO scandal to be competing in Athens.

Kelli White is banned and world record-holder Tim Montgomery has received a letter from the US Anti-Doping Agency containing allegations of drug violations.

The BALCO laboratory in California is being investigated amidst claims it produced and distributed banned substances to athletes, including suspended Briton Dwain Chambers.

Meanwhile, the IOC’s Executive Board has appointed a three-man panel to investigate claims that US swimmers were provided with human growth hormones during the Sydney Olympics.

Should the allegations made by Glen Luepnitz be confirmed, the swimmers involved could have any medals won in Sydney withdrawn.

The IOC will increase its testing procedure at these Games by 25% to include every sport and over 3000 individual samples.

Blood samples taken from athletes will also be frozen and stored for potential retroactive tests.