{"id":245656,"date":"2017-03-10T09:33:39","date_gmt":"2017-03-10T16:33:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/?p=245656"},"modified":"2017-03-10T09:33:39","modified_gmt":"2017-03-10T16:33:39","slug":"usoc-releases-statement-regarding-anti-doping-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swimmingworldmagazine.com\/news\/usoc-releases-statement-regarding-anti-doping-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"USOC Releases Statement Regarding Anti-Doping Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Olympic and Paralympic Movements is unique within the world of sport in that it was founded, and is promoted, as a values-based movement. The practice of doping is fundamentally contrary to those values in every respect, and the Olympic and Paralympic Movements cannot maintain its values-based identity unless it makes a more meaningful, collective, and effective commitment to lead the fight against doping<\/strong>. We must provide a safe and level playing field for our athletes, and we must demonstrate to our stakeholders that doping in the Olympic and Paralympic Movements is the exception, not the rule, and will not be tolerated.<\/p>\n

Doping is a global problem and requires a global solution that does not depend on individual countries or sport organizations for enforcement. While there are numerous effective national anti-doping organizations currently in place around the world, there must also be a clearly independent anti-doping body with overriding global authority <\/strong>of those national anti-doping organization (NADO) programs, with the responsibility to test, investigate, and sanction when necessary \u2013 ensuring consistency across countries and sports.<\/p>\n

Fundamental due process rights must be afforded to athletes and others<\/strong> in individual cases. Among these, an athlete should have the opportunity to rebut factual allegations before the fact finder and have a right to appeal to an independent body who must not also be responsible for prosecution.<\/p>\n

Systematic doping requires a systematic and proportional response. There should be sanctions not only against proven perpetrators, but against anyone who knew or should have known about a doping violation. It is the responsibility of everyone, from athletes to coaches to administrators, to report doping violations. To that end, an<\/strong> independent anti-doping authority must have the power to suspend International Federations, National Olympic Committees, National Federations and National Anti-doping Organizations in cases of systematic doping.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Investigative work to uncover systematic doping must be robustly supported in balance with other forms of detection.\u00a0 Whistleblowers must be encouraged to share what they know and protected against retribution<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This enhanced fight against doping requires increased investment<\/strong>. The IOC, the NOCs and the IFs should all contribute on a fair and equitable basis, complementing governmental support.<\/p>\n

The USOC will work from within the IOC, ANOC and WADA to advocate for change. A viable solution will require the constructive input of all stakeholders<\/strong>. Time is of the essence.<\/p>\n

With these principles in mind, and while the USOC is open to workable alternatives to these specifics, it appears that the global anti-doping solution should include at least these elements:<\/p>\n