(BEIJING, Jan. 24) -- "Effective penalties are needed (to encounter doping in sport) ... Education, prevention and scientific research remain essential." Jacques Rogge said.
The IOC president made the remarks at the WADA (World Anti-doping Agency) Media Symposium held in Lausanne, Switzerland on Wednesday.
Rogge pointed out in his speech that doping in sport has become widespread as several prominent cases emerged in the past year. "Unfortunately," he said, "the Turin Olympic Games were not without incidents."
As part of the zero tolerance approach to fighting doping, the IOC announced earlier that the number of tests will be significantly increased to 4,500 for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, a 25% increase on Athens 2004.
"It [Zero tolerance for doping during the Olympic Games] has set a powerful standard. But we must strengthen efforts for random out-of-competition and in-competition testing at local and national levels, as well as for 'target' testing of specific athletes." He said.
Rogge called for public acknowledgement that everyone, including coaches, trainers, medical directors, sponsors, fans and youth, is obliged to "speak out against doping and the damaging effect it has on sport and its reputation."
The president also expressed support to further involve the government in the fight, while encouraging the media to help "gain the support of more public opinion against doping" and the Olympic sponsors to make united efforts.
BOCOG echoed the IOC earlier. BOCOG Executive Vice-President Yang Shu'an said in a recent interview that in addition to intensifying anti-doping tests, educational strategies spearheaded by precautions need to be implemented to make athletes of the 2008 Olympic Games aware of the danger drugs can pose and create a social environment boycotting drug use.
On January 17, 2007, an exhibition on the theme of "Olympics Anti-doping 40 years" was opened in Beijing. It was the first of its kind proposed by the host city to target a wider audience instead of a number of specialists in the history of the Olympic Games. Similar exhibitions are expected to be organized throughout 2007 and 2008 in various parts of China.
