IOC PANEL PROPOSES BANS FOR DRUGS

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch
opened a world summit on drugs in sport by calling for a new drive to
wipe out "this odious and unhealthy form of cheating."

In his opening address, Samaranch also referred to the corruption
scandals which have plunged the IOC into the worst crisis of its
105-year history.

"As you all know, over the last few weeks the International Olympic
Committee has been confronted with a serious situation with regard to
allegations of wrongdoing leveled against some of its members,"
Samaranch said today. "We have swiftly taken all the necessary
measures and are continuing our investigations to ensure that Olympic
ethics are respected."

Nine IOC members have resigned or been expelled for receiving cash
payments, gifts and other favors stemming from Salt Lake City's
winning bid for the 2002 Winter Games.

Turning to the drug problem, Samaranch proposed the creation of an
international anti-doping agency to coordinate drug testing around the
world one of the centerpieces of the three-day conference.

He said the agency should be autonomous and run by a board of
directors composed of Olympic officials, scientists and
representatives of government and non-governmental organizations and
pharmaceutical companies.

Critics have insisted that the agency must be fully independent to
have any credibility, an issue which will certainly play a major role
during the rest of the conference.

On Sunday, Samaranch said he would oversee the agency and proposed
that IOC medical commission chief Prince Alexandre de Merode should
run the body on a day-to-day basis. The proposal has already drawn
opposition from delegates and IOC members.

Samaranch said de Merode had done "a very good job" as the Olympic
drug chief for almost three decades. His detractors claim he has been
largely ineffective while doping has become one of the chief issues in
sports.

In today's speech, Samaranch said athletes had turned to doping in
"the pursuit of victory at all costs."

On the controversial issue of drug sanctions, Samaranch said the IOC
cannot force sports federations to apply specific penalties.

"We apply sanctions whenever they are necessary," he said. "But we are
not a court and we do not wish to become one. All we ask is for the
rules we have set to be observed by all those concerned."

He said "corrective and emergency methods" have a limited effect and
that a campaign of prevention and education would prove more
successful in the long run. He also called on governments and
pharmaceutical companies to collaborate in the fight against drugs,
including drug trafficking.

Among those scheduled to speak today was White House drug czar Barry
McCaffrey.

On the eve of the conference, McCaffrey said the Olympic movement
faced ruin unless effective steps were taken to curb the escalating
drug problem.

McCaffrey planned to call on the IOC to accept a fully independent
worldwide anti-doping agency. He opposed plans that would give Olympic
officials effective control of the proposed body.

"Independent doesn't mean dependent," McCaffrey aide Bob Weiner said
Monday. "He is pushing for true independence with random outside
audits and verification."

McCaffrey was hoping the meeting would smooth the way for a "level
playing field" for all competitors from around the world.

But proposals of an IOC working group to streamline drug policies
around the globe already ran into obstacles before the meeting started.

The panel proposed that athletes face life bans and fines of up to $1
million if found guilty of serious cases of "intentional doping" and
suggested selective bans for some first-time offenders.

The world soccer federation call the proposals too tough and
unworkable while the swimming federation said a unified anti-doping
stance would be impossible under such circumstances.