DRUG USE IN SPORTS PROBED

Weekend Conference Planned For Montreal

The doped-up professional or Olympic athlete is but the tip of a very
large iceberg. This weekend in Montreal, some of the subject's most
learned minds will share their ideas on how to combat this insidious
problem that affects many young Canadians.

The three-day "Doping in Sports Among Youths in Canada" conference will
assemble more than 300 participants - athletes, doctors, scientists,
psychologists, politicians, educators. administrators and the RCMP among
them - to discuss the health, legal and ethical issues of sports doping.

"For many years now, the use of banned drugs in sports has regularly
made headline news," says Dr. Christiane Ayotte, director of the
anti-doping laboratory at Pointe Claire's INRS research institute and an
energetic, long-time campaigner for clean, drug-free performance.

"Media reports might have made the public more aware of the abuse of
drugs by professional and world-class athletes, but they have ignored
another problem: contrary to what most people believe, elite athletes
are not the only ones using performance-enhancing substances.

"Young people who want to improve their athletic performance, or simply
their appearance, are also affected by this problem," Ayotte adds. "A
study carried out in 1998 by the RCMP presented a troubling picture -
sports doping is in widespread use among our young athletes.

"The study also demonstrated that sports doping limits these athletes'
careers and, more seriously, poses a threat to their health and safety."

Ayotte is honourary president of the conference, having accepted the
post from International Olympic Committee vice-president Dick Pound,
chairman of both the World Anti-Doping Agency and the World Forum on
Physical Activity and Sport.

The conference, at the downtown Delta Hotel on University St., begins
Friday morning with welcoming speeches, followed by various sessions and
workshops covering four themes: health issues; ethical and legal issues;
essential elements for the development of young athletes; and reasons,
choices and social issues.

Participants will discuss issues over dinner Saturday, and the
conference concludes Sunday with a fifth theme - toward the definition
of a concrete plan, and strategies for a concerted approach - and
closing remarks.

"Sports doping raises crucial questions of ethics and public health,"
says Ayotte, "and the conference will provide a unique and valuable
meeting-place for professionals in all disciplines related to sports
doping, and for everyone concerned about the health of young Canadians.

"The many talks, workshops, debates and plenary sessions will give
participants the opportunity to learn more about sports doping, to share
their knowledge and to find ways to work even more closely together in
the fight against sports doping."

All presentations will be in English or French, with simultaneous
translation provided. The cost of registration, by phone or at the door
Friday morning, is $290, which includes health breaks, Saturday dinner
and taxes, or $125 for students. Special group rates also are available.

For more information, or to register, call (514) 872-1997, or follow the
links at www.worldforummondial.ca.