Urgent measures to be taken to combat doping in sport

The number of cases of doping during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games demonstrated, once again, the reality of doping in sport. Against this background, the European Parliament calls on, amongst others, the European Commission to implement an effective, joined-up policy in all fields relating to the fight against doping, to support an intensive information and awareness-raising campaign and to encourage cooperation between the Member States.

ACT

European Parliament Resolution of 14 April 2005 on combating doping in sport [Not published in the Official Journal].

SUMMARY

Concerned by the ever increasing problem of doping in sport (in particular the use of ever more dangerous substances, such as growth hormones or Erythropoietin), the European Parliament would emphasise first of all that the use of chemicals to enhance performance is totally at odds with the values of sport as a social, cultural and education activity.

In order to combat doping more effectively, the European Parliament calls on the Commission to:

• ensure that the Union's external borders are effectively policed and combat the trade in illegal substances;
• implement an effective, joined-up policy in all related fields (public health, prevention, education and pharmaceutical research);
• support a sustained information campaign in order to establish an effective prevention policy;
• together with the Member States, step up its collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency, the Council of Europe and the World Health Organisation;
• involve all those concerned with sport in the decision-making process in this area, in order to tackle this problem effectively and promote a clean image of sport;
• encourage cooperation between the Member States in order to develop common, effective methods for monitoring and certifying the use of chemical substances and compounds in gymnasia and sports centres frequented by young people in particular;
• propose, in the Seventh Research Framework Programme, further research into different methods of doping detection and control.

Doping: a reality to be tackled

Doping is a real public health problem today. As the 2004 Athens Olympics showed, it has become worryingly prevalent in all areas of sport and at all competitive and amateur levels. Not only does it place athletes in danger, but it falsifies competition results, damages the image of sport, especially for young people, and tarnishes its ethical dimension.

RELATED ACTS

Parliament Resolution of 17 December 1998 on urgent measures to be taken against doping in sport [Official Journal C98 of 09.04.1999]

Last updated: 22.04.2005