IOC probes past Olympics after Telekom doping affair
(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-31 10:56
The International Olympic Committee said on Wednesday it would launch an inquiry into potential drugs rules violations at past Games following doping confessions by Telekom team riders.
"The International Olympic Committee today announced that it has set up a disciplinary commission (DC) in order to inquire into possible anti-doping rules violations at previous Olympic Games, in connection with the recent revelations concerning the Telekom cycling team," it said in a statement.
The 1996 Tour de France champion Bjarne Riis admitted last week he had used performance-enhancing drugs for a period between 1993 and 1998.
Several others, including former Telekom riders Erik Zabel, who still competes with Team Milram, and Rolf Aldag have also confessed to using the blood-boosting substance erythropoietin (EPO) in the mid-1990s.
The IOC said its three-member commission, comprising IOC Executive Board (EB) members Sergey Bubka, Denis Oswald and Gunilla Lindberg, would report its findings to the EB which would be responsible for any further action.
"The disciplinary commission will also inquire into possible anti-doping rules violations with regard to the activities of physicians from the University of Freiburg (Germany)," it said.
Two University of Freiburg doctors, who worked with the renamed T-Mobile team until recently, admitted they had helped riders use EPO in the 1990s.
"The IOC finds the revelations in recent days disappointing and concerning, and is therefore determined to look into the matter and any possible impact it might have had on the Olympic Games," the IOC said.
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