Story - Russell Langley, UK Sport

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The majority of British athletes are heeding the drug-free message and steering clear of banned substances. Figures released today by UK Sport show that 98.6% of athletes tested for drugs between October and December 2002 produced negative results.

A total of 1,135 tests were carried out during the period, covering both UK and overseas competitors in 19 different sports. The tests conducted by UK Sport – the body responsible for promoting ethically fair and drug-free sport in the UK – found that only 18 test results needed to be referred to governing bodies for further investigation.

Of these:

· eight were for stimulants (one caffeine, four ephedrine, three cocaine);
· two were for anabolic agents;
· two were for diuretics;
· three were for marijuana;
· three were for refusal to take a test.

Michele Verroken, Director of Drug-Free Sport at UK Sport, said: “The worldwide average for positive findings is around 2%. The number of positive findings from the UK programme is consistently lower than this which is excellent news, and shows that the vast majority of our athletes are competing fairly.

“The results show that the UK’s anti-doping programme is having an impact. UK Sport is delivering a fair, transparent and rigorous programme. We know that the vast majority of athletes want to compete drug-free. The programme aims to educate athletes about not only what substances they can and can’t take, but also the importance of checking before they take anything.

“In addition, through our testing programme, we identify those who have taken banned substances and ensure that appropriate investigations and, where necessary, disciplinary actions follow. We are very encouraged by how the drug-free message seems to be hitting home with Britain’s sportsmen and women.”

The results release from UK Sport comes a year to the day since the launch of the UK’s national anti-doping policy. One of the main aims of the policy was to clarify the responsibilities of national governing bodies in the testing process, to ensure that they properly review and act on the test results reported to them by UK Sport. Richard Callicott, Chief Executive of UK Sport, is pleased about the impact the policy has made:

“The policy, together with the switch to the quarterly reporting of test results, has made the governing bodies more aware of their responsibilities, particularly with regard to results management, and they are reacting positively to these developments. We are finding that cases reported to the governing bodies for further action are being dealt with more swiftly and efficiently than before.

“This is important as it shows athletes, and the nation’s sports fans, the level of commitment that exists in the fight for drug-free sport.”

NOTES
· UK Sport is the agency charged by the Government with responsibility for creating a strategy for developing high performance sport in the UK. UK Sport’s purpose is the lead the UK to sporting excellence by supporting: winning athletes; world class events; and ethically fair and drug free sport.

· Competitors tested as part of UK Sport’s testing programme include UK and non-UK athletes. The data may also include competitors tested on more than one occasion.

· The figures released are for the period from October 2002 to December 2002 and are available to download from UK Sport’s website – www.uksport.gov.uk

· More information is available via the website or by calling the UK Sport press office. In the first instance, please direct all media enquiries to the following contacts:

Enquiry Contact Tel. (during office hours / outside)
Corporate issues and athlete funding/performance Matthew Crawcour 020 7211 5106 / 07836 230 704
Major events Rob Burgess 020 7211 5174 / 07989 506 312
Drug-free sport Russell Langley 020 7211 5108 / 07762 944 710
If you are unable to speak directly with someone, please call 020 7211 5100 and ask to be put through to the Press Office.

Anti-doping results: October-December 2002 Facts & Figures

In the period October-December 2002, UK Sport carried out 1,135 tests as part of the UK’s anti-doping programme. Of these, 18 have been reported to the relevant governing body for further investigation (1.58% of the total).

· Of the 18 tests reported for further action:

o eight were for stimulants (one caffeine, four ephedrine, three cocaine);
o two were for anabolic agents;
o two were for diuretics;
o three were for marijuana;
o three were for refusal to take a test.

· National governing bodies receiving most tests during the period in question were: Football Association – 463; UK Athletics – 94; Jockey Club – 56; Rugby Football League – 56.

· 88% of tests carried out on behalf of UK governing bodies are taken from male athletes (915 out of 1,040).

· UK Sport carries out tests both in competition (at events) and out-of-competition (at training sessions and, in some sports, at the athlete’s home). During the last quarter, 574 tests were out-of-competition – 50.6% of the total.

Year to date
· For the year to date (April-December 2002), a total of 5,251 have been carried out, of which 75 have been reported for further investigation (1.43% of the total).

· Of the 75 tests reported for further action, the majority have been for stimulants (33), anabolic agents (21) and refusal to take a test (12). The 33 stimulant findings include substances confirmed as permitted medications

· Of the 5,251 tests, 3,535 have been taken at events (67.3%) and 1,716 have been out-of-competition tests (32.7%).

· Tests have been conducted in 35 sports.

General
· Around £1.6 million of Government funds is allocated to the UK’s anti-doping programme each year. This covers testing, education, training and staff. In addition, a number of governing bodies pay for UK Sport to carry out additional tests for their athletes.

· Between 2004 and 2006, the Government has committed an additional £4.7 million to be spent on the fight for drug-free sport.

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