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The Medical Commission of the International Wushu Federation (IWF)
had recommended to the sport's world governing body on the details
to carry out doping tests at the 2001 World Wushu Championships
slated for October this year in Armenia.
This will be the first time in the history that doping tests is
introduced into the world championships for the traditional Chinese
martial arts. The Chinese Wushu Association began doping control
at national competitions four years ago and such tests had been
done in some of the regional competition for the sport.
According to the Medical Commission's recommendation, a selected
group of competitors will be subject to doping tests at the world
championships and their urine samples will be tested to a Beijing-based
laboratory clarified and sanctioned by the International Olympic
Committee (IOC).
"The selection of competitors for such tests will be done
in a reasonable and fair way so as to guarantee the quality and
effectiveness of doping control," said Zhang Changjiu of China,
chairman of the Medical Commission.
The tests at the world championships will be done in accordance
with the rules approved by the IWF's Executive Committee, which
is in light of the IOC's related rules.
If any competitor is tested positive of the banned drugs listed
by the IWF, which are identical to those banned by the IOC, the
IWF will suspend the competitor for the same length of time as set
by the IOC. An offense of the Category A illegal drugs leads to
a four-year suspension while taking any of Category B banned substances
will cause the competitor to be banned from any competitions for
two years.
No positive results have been reported so far, according to Zhang.
"It's very necessary and important for the IWF to bring doping
control into its world championships. It will help the sport to
develop in a more rapid and healthy way," he said.
The Medical Commission's chief admitted that the IWF faces a lack
of funds for doping control but he still felt confident that Wushu's
world governing body would make increasing efforts in the worldwide
fight against illegal drugs in sports.
The Medical Commission's recommendation shall be subject to the
approval by the IWF's Executive Committee, Zhang added.
(People's Daily 03/24)
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