107th IOC Session - LA84 Foundation

The latest technology
was utilised to analyse
doping control samples.
• Doping Control Stations
The location and layout (waiting room, sample
collection room, and toilet) of doping control
stations were standardized and set up
under the direction of the IOC Medical
Commission. Strict security controls were put
in place to ensure that only authorized personnel
were allowed entry, and staff were recruited
from throughout Japan and overseas.
Seven training seminars were held between
July and December 1997 to familiarize staff
with doping procedures and protocols.
• Doping Control Laboratory
A Doping Control Laboratory with a staff of
32 was set up in the Nagano Public Health
Centre under the direction of the IOC Medical
Commission. NAOC contracted Mitsubishi
Kagaku Biochemical Laboratories to carry out
chemical analysis of the samples. Around-theclock
security, including utilisation of advanced
fingerprint identification systems, was
implemented at the MCC to prevent unauthorized
entry.
• Blood Testing
In consultation with the IOC Medical
Commission and in cooperation with NAOC,
the FIS and IBU carried out blood testing at
cross-country skiing and biathlon events. As
results from haemoglobin tests determine the
eligibility of an athlete to participate, the
International Federations assumed all responsibility
for testing as well as associated expenses
for procedures and staff.
• Positive Result at Snowboard
In routine testing conducted after the men’s
snowboard giant slalom event on February 8,
gold medallist Ross Rebagliati of Canada tested
positive for marijuana metabolites. At its
daily meeting in the evening of February 10,
after listening to explanations offered by
Rebagliati and other parties, by majority vote
the IOC Medical Commission recommended
to the IOC Executive Board that Rebagliati be
sanctioned. At a press conference the following
day, the IOC Executive Board announced
its decision to strip Rebagliati of his medal.
The decision of the IOC Executive Board
was appealed by the Canadian Olympic
Association (COA) and referred to the Court
of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for independent
arbitration. On February 12, CAS overturned
the IOC’s decision and reinstated
Rebagliati. In rendering its decision, CAS
ruled that the IOC had erred in disqualifying
Rebagliati as the IOC Medical Code did not
classify marijuana as a prohibited substance,
nor did it specify sanctions for usage unless
specifically so requested by individual sports
federations. As no such agreement between
the IOC and the FIS existed, CAS ruled that
the IOC had no grounds for imposing punishment.