OLYMPICS-IOC HAS NO PLANS TO BAN CREATINE

LAUSANNE, Dec 14 (Reuters) - Olympic leaders have no plans to ban the
controversial performance-enhancing substance creatine because their
medical experts regard it as food.

Recent investigations have shown that the amino acid, which is naturally
produced in the liver and kidneys, is used regularly in sports such as
soccer, cycling, rowing, motor racing and athletics.

But International Olympic Committee (IOC) medical chief Prince Alexandre De
Merode said on Monday that the IOC did not plan to put the substance on its
list of banned drugs.

"We don't tell people that they can't eat eggs or bread. Creatine is food,"
he said. "There is no reason to ban it. You can't exaggerate things. It is
not comparable with substances like (steroids)."

In the United States creatine is reported to be the most widely used legal
supplement. England's footballers were given it during their World Cup
campaign and it has been endorsed by British Olympic gold medallists
Linford Christie and Sally Gunnell.

But although creatine would appear to be the dream sporting supplement,
there have been increasing reports of kidney and liver damage.

Supporters of creatine argue that it is a harmless aid to their training
and competition regime.

If it were banned they say that individuals with a naturally high level of
creatine in their system would suffer unfairly.

Checked-by: Joel W. Johnson