Top News

Europe introduces additional doping ban

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2007-03-08 17:24

European Athletics (EA) have decided that athletes found guilty of major doping offences will be ineligible to compete in European championships for a minimum of two years after their suspension ends.

The decision to change the competition entry regulations was announced on Wednesday after the European Athletics council meeting in Birmingham, England.

"The Council has unanimously decided that competing in our championships represents a special privilege and that we must not allow the negative notoriety of the small number of athletes who cheat to spoil the experience or distract attention from those who follow the rules," EA president Hansjoerg Wirz said in a statement.

"Our message is very clear and we will do what it takes to ensure the credibility of the sport and protect the health of athletes and young people" added Wirz.

The extra suspension is to begin on the day an athlete is cleared to compete by the IAAF after a doping ban. However, those athletes will still be able to part in international invitational or national level competitions.