P6_TA(2005)0134

Doping in sport

European Parliament resolution on combating doping in sport

The European Parliament,

- having regard to Declaration No 29 on sport, annexed to the Amsterdam Treaty, and to Article III-282 of the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe,

- having regard to its resolution of 7 September 2000 [1] on the Commission communication on a Community support plan to combat doping in sport,

- having regard to the conclusions of the Council and the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 4 December 2000 on combating doping [2],

- having regard to its resolution of 7 September 2000 on the Commission report to the European Council with a view to safeguarding current sports structures and maintaining the social function of sport within the Community framework — the Helsinki Report on Sport [3],

- having regard to the World Anti-Doping Code adopted in Copenhagen on 5 March 2003,

- having regard to the public hearing of its Committee on Culture and Education of 29 November 2004 on "Drug-taking in sport: obstacle to the ideal of athleticism",

- having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the number of doping incidents during the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens again demonstrated that doping in sport is, unfortunately, still a reality which must be combated,

B. whereas public health and the protection of minors are priorities of the European Union,

C. whereas doping is a genuine public health problem and concerns everyone involved in sport, including young people and amateurs who obtain illegal substances in, for example, fitness centres and, increasingly, via the Internet,

D. whereas the success of the European Year of Education through Sport should be followed through by the European Union taking action to tackle all aspects of doping in sport,

E. whereas the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe provides an appropriate legal basis to draw up and implement Community action in the field of sport,

F. whereas there are increasing pressures on athletes who face gruelling demands, media and economic pressures,

1. Emphasises that the use of chemical performance-enhancing substances is contrary to the values of sport as a social, cultural and educational activity;

2. Notes that, whilst the use of drugs has been evident throughout the history of sport, doping is today taking a new and ever more dangerous turn through the use of substances such as growth hormones and erythropoietin, and through practices such as blood transfusions;

3. Is concerned for the physical and psychological health of professional and amateur athletes;

4. Stresses the importance of longitudinal independent medical monitoring;

5. Calls on the Commission to take action to ensure that the European Union's external borders are effectively controlled and to fight trafficking in illegal substances;

6. Calls on the Commission to implement an effective and integrated policy in all related fields, notably public health, prevention, education and pharmaceutical research;

7. Calls on the Commission to support a sustained information campaign in order to establish an effective prevention policy;

8. Calls on the Member States, together with the Commission, to intensify their collaboration within the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the Council of Europe and the World Health Organization in a way which enables the European Union to act effectively with regard to the prevention and control of doping;

9. Calls on the Commission to involve all those concerned with sport in the decision-making process with regard to doping, in order to effectively address the problem and to promote a clean image of sports and physical exercise;

10. Calls on the Commission to encourage coordination between the Member States in order to develop common effective methods for controlling and certifying the use of chemical substances and compounds in gyms and sports centres frequented by young people in particular;

11. Calls on the Commission to propose, in the Seventh Framework Programme, further research into different methods of doping detection and control;

12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the accession countries, national and international sports federations, the FEI (International Federation for Equestrian Sports), the Council of Europe, the International Olympic Committee and the WADA.

[1] OJ C 135, 7.5.2001, p. 270.

[2] OJ C 356, 12.12.2000, p. 1.

[3] OJ C 135, 7.5.2001, p. 274.

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