Former WADA president, d**k Pound criticises BOA's policy to ban riders from the Olympic Games
d**k Pound, former World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) President, has voted against the British Olympic Association’s (BOA) new policy. The committee decided that the convicted dopers will not be allowed to represent their countries in the Olympics games.
Pound stated on his blog about the issue, “This maximum was established partly on the advice of human rights lawyers to the effect that state courts would not interfere with such sanctions as excessive in the circumstances".
He also mentioned that, BOA’s policy is way older and was formed even before the formation of WADA. BOA has always followed the WADA’s code of conduct and its laws during the past few years.
Punishing an athlete beyond the WADA’s rules therefore is equivalent to going against the WADA rules. Pound mentioned that, “This conflicts with the provisions of the code, to which the BOA is a signatory".
The new decision means that cyclists like David Millar will be excluded from participating in one of the biggest cycling events.
Millar was banned from the sport for a period of two years in 2004 but has helped the authorities ever since his return. He cooperated in identifying the doping methods and educating the riders.
Millar has mentioned that he will not fight against the decision and is not looking forward to ride at the London Olympics 2012.
He said, “There are certain fights I don’t want to fight and that was one of them. I just don't fancy being vilified any more. It's been a tough couple of years".
The 34-year-old also believes that the decision of imposing a life time ban from the Olympics is slightly harsh. He believes that there are moments when cyclists are caught up in such situations unwillingly and a life time ban would not help the cause.
Pound was the president of World Anti-Doping Agency till November before stepping down from the position and made a final appearance. He criticised the BOA’s decision of banning the cyclists especially when the 2012 are just around the corner.
It will be interesting to see if the British Olympic Association will make any changes and allow the convicted riders in the coming home Olympics 2012.
Tags: