|
Rome - The Italian government said on Monday they would be relaxing their strict doping laws for next month's Winter Olympics in Turin, much to the relief of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The IOC and WADA had been concerned that some athletes could end up with jail sentences because of Italy's tough legislation on drugs in sport.
Under IOC rules athletes face disqualification for doping, but an athlete found guilty of doping in Italy risks a prison sentence of anything up to three years.
Another bone of contention was the decree issued by the Italian health ministry earlier this month that gave its anti-doping commission full responsibility for dope testing at all international competitions in Italy.
 
| a deal had been struck with the IOC |
But Mario Pescante, Italy's under-secretary for sport and supervisor for the Winter Olympics, said a deal had been struck with the IOC over doping, but warned penal sanctions could still be applied.
"We've reached an agreement which has been approved by the president of the IOC," he said.
"Italian law will be respected with regards to penal sanctions, but at the same time we will be guided by WADA's list of banned substances."
The agreement includes the setting up of a task force to ensure a good compromise between Italian law and IOC rules. The task force will include IOC members, WADA officials and representatives of games organisers TOROC.
The Games run from February 10-26. - Sapa-AFP
|
