NEWS FROM ICF BOARD MEETING - MADRID 26 October 2003



DECISIVE ACTION AGAINST ANY DRUG CHEATS



Today Canoeing's International Governing Body the International Canoe Federation (ICF) declared its intention to "Keep Canoeing Clean" with an announcement that the body intends to re examine doping samples from the recent Sprint Racing World Championships in Gainesville USA. The samples from about 60 athletes will be retested for the designer steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG). ICF President Ulrich Feldhoff in ordering the retesting said:



"The Sport of Canoeing is determined to take every opportunity to eliminate any possibility of its championships being tainted by cheats. We are pleased to reexamine the tests made at the World Championships and Olympic qualifying event in Gainesville "



Over five hundred competitors took part in the Sprint Racing World Championships on the International Regatta Course in Gainesville, nr Atlanta from 11 September to 14 September.



143 competitors qualified boat places for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.



ICF COMMIT TO ADOPTING WADA CODE


On formally adopting the World Anti Doping Code and becoming a subscriber to WADA.



ICF board Director and Chairman of its medical commission Donald Mckenzie said:



" The ICF boards decision both to endorse the adoption of the WADA code and to become a subscriber to WADA underlines the sports commitment the war against doping. The ICF will ensure that both its own and member federations procedures will be in place well before the IOC deadline and the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens"



For further details concerning the ICF's position on doping contact Volker Bernardi in the ICF Office 0034 91 506 1151



Paul Owen

ICF Media Official