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Doc. 8844 2nd edition
11 October 2000
Necessity for appropriate procedures in cases of suspected doping
Written Declaration No. 307
2nd edition, originally tabled on 27 September 2000
This written declaration commits only the members who have signed it |
The undersigned, members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe,
1. Recalling the Council of Europe's role and its important measures in the field of combating doping in sport, in particular the Anti-Doping Convention (ETS 135);
2. Bearing in mind, however, that a minimum of precaution is needed in anti-doping tests to which sportsmen and women are subjected, in order to avoid any abuse or arbitrary decisions that could seriously harm their dignity, their right to their image as sportsmen and women and, ultimately, the countries they represent;
3. Noting in this context with surprise and concern the highly exaggerated accusations of doping made against the Romanian gymnast Andreea Raducan, Olympic champion at the Sydney Games, and the fact that her gold medal in the individual general competition has been withdrawn;
4. Also taking into account the facts, namely the innocence of the Romanian gymnast, recognised by the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and the simple negligence of the national team's doctor, who administered to her a mild medical prescription for a cold (two NUROFEN aspirin tablets, available off-prescription in pharmacies) which leaves slight traces of pseudo-ephedrine, a substance included in the general list of banned products, but which is medically recognised as a non-stimulant in gymnastics;
5. Having learnt of the irregularities and contradictions in the procedure followed in this case by the Executive Committee of the IOC, in particular the confirmation of the IOC decision even before a second expert opinion had been agreed, its failure to respect the confidentiality principle, which should apply until a final decision has been taken, and the withdrawal of one of the three medals won without excluding the gymnast from the Olympic Games;
6. Considering that all the Romanian team have been deeply affected by these regrettable events during the last two days of the competition, and that they have aroused strong feelings, and even consternation, in Romanian and international public opinion;
7. Expressing their disapproval of this procedure, which they consider irregular and damaging to the public image, not just of a single individual or team, representing a national school that is known and appreciated throughout the world, but also of their country of origin,
8. Demand that the elementary principle of the presumption of innocence be respected, until the termination of the appeal proceedings currently under way, that the medal be restored and that a just judgment be handed down as soon as possible;
9. Consider it a matter of urgency that appropriate and transparent procedures be applied to the various sporting disciplines in suspected doping cases and that a distinction be drawn between doping and the necessary prescribing to sick athletes of medicines that have no real effects on their performance.
Signed1
Badulescu, Romania, SOC
Bársony, Hungary, SOC
Davis, United Kingdom, SOC
De Puig, Spain, SOC
Durrieu, France, SOC
Fyfe, United Kingdom, SOC
Iwinski, Poland, SOC
Kirilov, Bulgaria, SOC
Mignon, France, EDG
Nastase, Romania, SOC
Nedelciuc, Moldova, LDR
Paslaru, Romania, SOC
Popescu, Ukraine, SOC
Schieder, Austria, SOC
Solé Tura, Spain, SOC
Squarcialupi, Italy, SOC
Stanoiu, Romania, SOC
Chapman, United Kingdom, EDG,
Total : 18 signatures
1 SOC: Socialist Group
EPP/CD: Group of the European People's Party
EDG: European Democratic Group
LDR: Liberal, Democratic and Reformers' Group
UEL: Group of the United European Left
NR: not registered in a group