AOC president calls for more power to doping agency

Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) President John Coates on Saturday called for more investigative powers to Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA).

Speaking at the AOC Annual General Meeting in Sydney, Coates said that "coersive powers" should be introduced under which athletes are required to attend an interview to answer questions, give information and produce documents, even if to do so might tend to incriminate them.

"When it comes to investigating most of the nine anti-doping rule violations which are not based on the presence of a prohibited substance in an athlete's sample, ASADA has been largely left with its hands tied behind its back," Coates said.

In 2013 the Australian Senate rejected coercive powers when they considered the ASADA Amendment Bill.

However, the AOC had filled the void in respect of alleged anti-doping rule violations by the insertion of more expansive "coercive powers" in amendments to the AOC Anti-Doping By-Law in May 2013.

Under that By-Law all athletes in an Australian Olympic Team, and athlete support personnel are obligated to "co-operate with and assist ASADA, by attending an interview to fully and truthfully answer questions; giving information; and producing documents,in an investigation being conducted by ASADA, even if to do so might tend to incriminate them or expose them to a penalty, sanction or other disciplinary measure. Endi