The Electronic Telegraph Friday 31 October 2003 David Miller
Countries who fail to help fund the World Anti-Doping Agency will not have their national anthem played if they win gold at next year's Olympic Games in Athens. In addition, they will not be able to display their national flag at the opening and closing ceremonies, and their officials will not be given accreditation to attend any Olympic event or function. They will also lose out on funding for coaches. WADA are hoping the potential embarrassment of such sanctions will force into line those governments who have yet to pay their subscription to the agency - most notable among the backsliders is Brazil. Dick Pound, the chairman of WADA, is determined his organisation should be properly funded in order to properly tackle the growing problem of drugs in sport. "We are quite prepared to take the gloves off," warned Pound, who was in London yesterday for an informal meeting with sports minister Richard Caborn. However, the threat will alarm leading athletes, according to Stephanie Cook, who won gold for Britain in the women's modern pentathlon at the 2000 Games in Sydney. "Watching the Union flag being raised and hearing the music is what it's all about," Cook said. "To not have that because your country has not contributed to fighting the drugs problem would be like not recognising what you've achieved." According to Pound, the main offenders are from Central/South America and Africa - the latter including Senegal, the country of Lamine Diack, the president of the International Association of Athletics Federations. Funding by governments is arranged on a continental basis - Europe 47.5 per cent, America 29 per cent, Asia 20 per cent and Africa 0.5 per cent. In Europe, for example, Britain contribute £300,000. Eamonn Condon [EMAIL PROTECTED]
