What is the basis for the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) battle with the British Olympic Association (BOA)? Why is WADA trying to tell the BOA under what terms it can select the Great Britain Olympic team? Is WADA now a law unto itself? Any person or organisation belonging in any capacity whatsoever to the Olympic Movement is bound by the provisions of the Olympic Charter and respect the fundamental ethical principles of Olympism and the Charter. Olympic Charter Rule 31 is unambiguous: the mission of NOCs is to develop and protect the Olympic Movement in their respective countries, in accordance with the Olympic Charter. The IOC and its NOCs must lead the fight against doping in sport. NOCs have exclusive powers for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Games.
It also states that in order to fulfill their mission, NOCs may cooperate with governmental or non-governmental bodies. However, they must never associate themselves with any activity which would be in contradiction with the Olympic Charter. The Olympic Charter is absolutely clear that NOCs shall preserve their autonomy and resist all pressures of any kind that may prevent them from complying with the Olympic Charter. The penalty for failure to comply with the Olympic Charter may result in the IOC suspending or withdrawing recognition. If it were a national government, the IOC would have been down on the country like a ton of bricks, suspension and a threat of expulsion would be the order of the day. So it’s absurd that the very same Olympic Charter would be interpreted as giving WADA the power and authority to interfere in the selection policy of an NOC.
The fact of the matter is that there is need for a firmer and stronger stance against doping in sport. Those who argue otherwise are delusional. WADA was set up to level the playing field, strengthen the fight against doping and bring all athletes closer to fairer completion. In its uncompromising fight against doping, the BOA has a zero tolerance stance. In so doing it sends a strong message to athletes, coaches and others who cheat. As always in these matters it seems as if there is greater concern for the rights of the drug cheats than the rights of the clean athlete. If the Olympic Charter gives NOCs exclusive powers for the representation at Olympic Games why is WADA challenging the BOAs right, obligation and duty in this regard?
Clean athletes must have a measure of assurance that drug cheats are not wanted in the Olympic Games. NOCs have a duty first and foremost to the drug free athlete. The fight against doping should not be empty words. The fear of costly legal battles that drug cheats are prepared to wage before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is no excuse to give in and water down sanctions. Sport is facing a myriad of challenges including doping in sport, illegal gambling, bribery and corruption. There is no end in sight. Sporting bodies are responsible for selecting their teams and deciding on code of conduct and selection criteria. CAS has ruled that WADA is responsible for anti-doping rules globally. Under IOC rules compliance with the doping code is mandatory. However, the Olympic Charter gives the BOA exclusive powers for selecting its team for the Olympic Games. WADA or CAS cannot usurp the primary rights, duties and authority of an NOC. It is ludicrous that the BOA should face sanctions for refusing to select drug offenders on its Olympic Games team. This is not a code compliant issue nor is it one of double jeopardy. It is about the right of the BOA to select its Olympic team. The BOA is well within its right to stand
firm behind rule 31 and their lifetime ban on selection for Olympic Games for athletes who test positive.
-Brian Lewis
Source: www.guardian.co.tt