IOC DRUG POLICY OVERHAUL PREDICTED

SYDNEY, Australia -- Medical commission member Dr. Ken Fitch says a
"radical" overhaul of the International Olympic Committee's drug policy
will take place at a meeting next month, including the removal of some
narcotics from the banned list.

Fitch, who is on the medical commissions for both the IOC and Sydney
Olympic organizers, said he would also urge a return to pre-competition
testing by the IOC in the days leading up to the 2000 Games.

Fitch said he supported comments by IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch
earlier this year that the banned list needed simplification.

"Mainly drugs like morphine, pethidine," need to be dropped from the banned
list, Fitch said. He said heroin would remain on the list.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski