RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AND OF THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL on a code of conduct against doping in sport (92/C 44/01)

THE COUNCIL AND THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE GOVERNMENTS OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,

Referring to their resolution of 3 December 1990 on Community action to combat the use of drugs, including the abuse of medicinal products, particularly in sport (1),

Referring also to the declaration made on this subject on 4 June 1991 (2),

Noting with interest the communication from the Commission to the Council on doping in sport and, in particular, the analysis of the phenomenon of doping and its effects on health,

Considering that the draft code of conduct against doping in sport included in that communication fulfils the aims of the aforementioned resolution, and is particularly appropriate in view of the Albertville and Barcelona Olympic Games in 1992,

APPROVE the code of conduct, as annexed hereto, as an instrument serving to inform and educate the public in general, and, more specifically, young people, as well as the circles concerned;

INVITE the Commission and the Member States:

- to ensure the widest possible dissemination of this code, in particular on the eve of the sporting events to be held in 1992, in collaboration with the Member States more specifically involved in organizing them,

- to use this code to reinforce the training, information and education initiatives taken to combat doping.

(1) OJ No C 329, 31. 12. 1990, p. 2.

(2) OJ No C 170, 29. 6. 1991, p. 1.

ANNEX

CODE OF CONDUCT AGAINST DOPING IN SPORT 1. Young people shall be encouraged to play the leading role in advocating that participation in sport should be free from doping and urged to promote this attitude amongst themselves.

2. Parents shall be encouraged to foster in their children a positive attitude to participation in sport, to provide them with moral support in their efforts and to reinforce the basic values of good health, fair play and team spirit.

3. Schools, universities and other training centres shall promote the attainment of success through fair play and advocate that participation in sporting activities shall be free of doping agents and methods.

4. Athletes, as role models, shall help to re-establish confidence in both sport and society being free from doping.

5. Health professionals have an obligation to be fully informed of the effects of doping agents and methods and to provide advice to the individuals who come into professional contact with them.

6. Those forming the entourage of sportsmen and women (managers, trainers, coaches, etc.) must play an active role in preventing doping and encouraging fair play.

7. Organizations involved with sports activities, including those related to the Olympic Movement, shall re-emphasize the spirit of fair competition.

8. Sports organizations at national and international levels shall cooperate on issues related to the status and control of doping.

9. Testing laboratories shall continue to maintain high-quality and reliable drug-testing procedures. They shall also monitor for the presence of new substances having the potential for performance-enhancement and inform the appropriate authorities for action to be taken.

10. The media shall provide the general public with information about athletes' training programmes and not merely the outcome of sporting events, as well as relevant information on the negative consequences of doping for health.