IOC Chief Praises U.S. Anti-Doping Work

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) _ International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge praised U.S. doping authorities' recent work Friday, calling it ``an extremely positive turn in the tide'' of

Friday, August 25th 2006, 2:19 pm

By: News On 6

BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) _ International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge praised U.S. doping authorities' recent work Friday, calling it ``an extremely positive turn in the tide'' of the worldwide fight against doping.

``I take my hat off to them,'' Rogge said in an interview with The Associated Press.

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency has been active in recent doping scandals involving Olympic sprint champions Justin Gatlin and Marion Jones.

Gatlin, the co-world record holder in the 100 meters, tested positive for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays on April 22. Two months later, Jones' ``A'' sample tested positive for the endurance-enhancer EPO after winning the 100 meters at the U.S. championships June 23. The result of the backup ``B'' sample is still pending. Both deny using performance-enhancing drugs.

But Rogge cautioned proof will be needed to strip athletes of their Olympic titles.

``That can only happen if there is proof that they took doping during the (Olympic Games) period. Otherwise, there is no possibility.''

The IOC president stressed there was a positive side to the latest doping allegations.

``It proves that controls are working,'' Rogge said before Friday's Van Damme Memorial track meet. ``It is not only Jones and Gatlin but also (Tour de France winner) Floyd Landis and many other cases. They allow us to eliminate the cheats.''

On Tuesday, USADA issued an eight-year ban to Athens Olympic 100 champion Gatlin. He can reduce the ban substantially by cooperating with investigators and insists he did not cheat.

``As I have said from the very beginning of this situation, I have no idea how any banned substance got into my body,'' Gatlin said Friday in a statement released through a public relations firm. ``I have never knowingly used any banned substance, nor have I allowed anyone to administer one to me. Cheating, in any form, is completely contrary to who I am as an athlete and a person.

Rogge refused to comment on the specifics of the Gatlin case, saying he did not know enough details.

``USADA has provided proof that it produces excellent work,'' Rogge said. ``It is a very positive turn in the tide in the battle against doping,'' he said.

IOC disciplinary commissions are investigating cases linked to the BALCO steroid scandal and blood doping allegations involving Austrian athletes and banned coach Walter Mayer at the Turin Olympics.