ANTI DOPING Irish Sports Council Publishes 2004 Anti-Doping Annual Report

Dr Brendan Buckley to chair new Anti-Doping Committee

Minister O’Donoghue “2004 was an important year in the fight against doping in sport in Ireland. High profile cases and the introduction of the new rules demonstrated our commitment to win the battle against doping in sport. We will not relent in this fight as the integrity of our sport and sports people must be protected”.

Mr. John O’Donoghue T.D. Minister For Arts, Sport and Tourism today (April 14) officially launched the Irish Sports Council’s 2004 Anti-Doping Annual Report at a reception in Dublin.

In 2004, 918 tests were carried out, including 153 User Pays tests. Out of Competition (OOC) tests accounted for 60% of testing under the National Programme, 37 sports were subject to testing, with 75 tests overseas.

There were seven positive findings across seven sports. Sanctions were given in four cases, with two further cases still in process. In one case a Therapeutic Use Exemption was given retroactively by the relevant National Anti-Doping organisation.

At the launch Minister O’Donoghue welcomed the appointment of Dr Brendan Buckley as the Chairman of the new Anti-Doping Committee and paid tribute to the work of the first Committee, which served from 1999 to 2004.

The highlight of 2004 was the introduction of the new Irish Sport Anti-Doping Rules, in June, in line with the World Anti-Doping Code. The ISC held a conference at the beginning of 2004 to assist NGBs in understanding their responsibilities under the Code. At this conference, Dr. David Howman, Director General of WADA, praised the rules as an excellent template for other countries to follow.

As 2004 was an Olympic and Paralympic year, all athletes who qualified for these Games were tested at least once out of competition before attending the Games. Dr. Una May, Programme Manager Anti Doping Unit, was invited, by WADA to be an independent observer (IO) at the Olympic Games, an honour bestowed on only a select few worldwide. In 2005 Dr May has been invited to chair the Independent Observer Group at the IAAF World Championships in Helsinki in August.

John Treacy, ISC Chief Executive stated: “Dr Una May’s appointment as an Independent Observer for the Olympics and the Athletics World Championships is a reflection of how highly Ireland’s Anti-Doping Programme is rated internationally, particularly by WADA, and that is of huge significance to us. Looking forward, a focus for 2005 will be to develop an educational strategy for the next three years, building upon existing initiatives and developing new areas of activity”.

Speaking at the launch Dr. Buckley said: “I am honoured and delighted to take the Chair of the Committee and look forward to working with the members of the new committee. Along with the Council and its executive we will continue to ensure that the Irish Anti-Doping Programme provides world-leading testing, research and education, of which we can all be proud, well into the future”.

The members of the new Anti-Doping Committee, appointed in October 2004.

Dr. Brendan Buckley (Chairman), Consultant Physician, Bon Scours Hospital, Cork.

Dr. Una May, (Secretariat), Programme Manager, ADU.

Dr. Geraldine Barniville, ADO Irish Squash & World Squash Federation.

Mr. Tim Delaney, Chief Pharmacist, Tallaght Hospital.

Dr. Patrick Guiry, Chemist, UCD.

Dr. Anthony McCarthy, Consultant Psychiatry, St.Vincents University Hospital, Dublin.

Dr. Con Murphy, ADO, GAA, General Practitioner, Cork.

Mr. Mel Christle, Senior Counsel.

Dr. Joan Gilvarry, Medical Director, Irish Medicines Board.

Mr. Neville Maxwell, Former Olympic Athlete.

Mr. Tony McCarthy, Irish Sports Council Member, Pharmacist, Caherciveen.

Ms. Noreen Roche, Member of Sports Nutrition Interest Group.