Doping row escalates as BOA declared “non-compliant” by WADA

Doping row escalates as BOA declared “non-compliant” by WADA

Sunday, 20 November 2011

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By David Owen

November 20 - The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has tonight declared the British Olympic Association (BOA) "non-compliant" with its global code, in a move set to aggravate tensions between the two bodies.

Though not unexpected, WADA's ruling is a serious embarrassment for the organisation that is preparing to act as host national Olympic Committee at the next Summer Games in just nine months' time, and for Colin Moynihan (pictured), its combative chairman.

Indeed, the decision means that, under the rules of the Olympic Charter, the BOA is technically unable to compete at London 2012, although it is inconceivable that the row will be allowed to grind on until then.

The bone of contention is a BOA bylaw that prevents drugs cheats from representing Team GB at the Olympics.

This bylaw has been under heavy pressure since a ruling by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month nullified a separate International Olympic Committee (IOC) rule banning any athlete receiving a doping suspension of more than six months from competing in the next Games.

The Danish Sports Confederation (DIF) this month abrogated its own rules forbidding former doping offenders from representing Denmark at the Olympics, saying it was the "natural consequence" of the CAS decision.

But the BOA has chosen to defend its bylaw, engaging in a war of words with WADA in the process.

Today's decision, which was voted on at WADA's Foundation Board meeting in Montreal, came in the wake of a sustained attack on the body by Moynihan last week and a sharp riposte by John Fahey in which the WADA chairman accused his BOA counterpart of making comments "without adherence to the facts".

Former WADA President Dick Pound (pictured), a member of the Foundation Board and leading figure in the Olympic Movement, made clear that he also took a dim view of Moynihan's attack, in comments made to the Board prior to the vote.

Pound said that he found Moynihan's public comments "both very unfortunate and, frankly, quite offensive".

He went on: "I think he should at least have verified the factual basis on which he was making allegations against WADA."

Following the announcement, Fahey said he was "very disappointed that it's come to this", while a BOA statement underlined its determination to fight to retain its bylaw.

"We look forward to receiving the formal findings from WADA setting out how they have determined the BOA's selection policy is non-compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code," the BOA said.

"On behalf of the overwhelming majority of British athletes we will vigorously defend any challenge to the selection policy which bans drug cheats from representing Team GB and we will publish the process we intend to follow in the near future."

Attention is now likely to switch once again to CAS in Switzerland, where the BOA is expected to defend its 20-year-old bylaw in the new year.

Fahey stated explicitly that the BOA had the right to appeal WADA's decision to CAS.

"There are many who are non-compliant," he said.

"My recollection is around 150 countries are compliant."

Though it seems logical to think that the BOA may have its work cut out in court, given the fate of the IOC's rule seeking to bar drug cheats from the next Games, Moynihan looks better placed to win the public relations battle.

Tougher penalties for athletes caught cheating is, at present, a populist cause and the former coxswain may emerge from the present spat as one of its most prominent champions.

By the same token, WADA faces a delicate, though not impossible, task in explaining why a body with the phrase "anti-doping" in its title is exerting pressure to get a two-decade-old sanction removed.

On the outcome of the battle hang any Olympic hopes entertained by Dwain Chambers, the sprinter, and David Millar, the cyclist.

Last month's CAS decision opened the door for US sprinter LaShawn Merritt to defend his Olympic 400 metres title at London 2012.

Contact the writer of this story at david.owen@insidethegames.biz