February 27, 2010 (London, England) – The UCI President participated in the “Tackling Doping in Sport” Conference organized by World Sports Law Report, in London on February 24. Mr. Pat McQuaid presented the UCI’s anti-doping programme – and in particular its key element, the biological passport – to the many specialists in the fight against doping who attended the conference.

The timely event, hosted by sports law experts Hammonds LLP on 24 February, brought together global leaders in anti-doping for an in-depth examination of the issues.

A world-class speaker line-up, including Andy Parkinson, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), Travis Tygart, US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), Pat McQuaid, Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), and Francoise Dagouret, SportAccord Doping Free Sport Unit ensured top-level presentations, and the interactive format encouraged healthy debate amongst the impressive range of participants. The conference drew anti-doping bodies and sporting organisations from around the world.

Delegates at Tackling Doping in Sport benefited from a detailed presentation by UCI President Pat McQuaid explaining the use of blood profiling in cycling as a method of detecting abnormalities in the blood that could indicate doping – a great advancement in anti-doping technology. Iain Higgins of the International Cricket Council, Ian Smith of the Professional Cricketer’s Association, and Simon Bowden of the Rugby Football Union provided the perspective of sport governing bodies on the application of the ‘Whereabouts’ provisions at national and international level, the use of WADA’s Anti-Doping Administration Management system and more.

Fresh from a breakthrough positive test for HGH, Chief Executive of the newly-formed UK Anti-Doping, Andy Parkinson, provided participants with a comprehensive presentation on the operations of UK Anti-Doping and the use of intelligence in the fight against doping. Speaking after the event, he said “The conference is a super initiative and I would like to thank World Sports Law Report for organising the event. It was extremely informative and generated much debate, which in turn enhanced the collective knowledge and expertise of the delegates present. I was delighted that UK Anti-Doping was a part of the day and grateful for the opportunity to present on what the future holds for our organisation”.

Travis Tygart, CEO of USADA, provided background information on USADA’s structure, history and work, its use of intelligence with specific case examples, and an overview of anti-doping proceedings in the US. Travis told attendees that one of the the most prominent future challenges for anti-doping is whether Article 45 of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Charter – which prevents athletes convicted of a doping offence from participating in the next edition of the Olympic Games – stands up to legal scrutiny. This issue, one that has received surprisingly little media coverage, was debated in detail during the expert panel session following an incisive presentation on the same topic by Swiss lawyer, Antonio Rigozzi. All speakers called for harmonisation of doping regulations internationally, stating current inconsistencies as another great challenge in anti-doping.

Erika Joyce of World Sports Law Report commented “The conference was a testament to the teams at World Sports Law Report and Hammonds LLP, the range of expert speakers and the calibre of industry delegates could not have been better. Even the highest level attendees felt they gained by being there and taking part in debate on the use of intelligence, whereabouts, social drugs and cutting edge legal breakthroughs – the issues really playing on the minds of anti-doping professionals. The event is fast becoming the premier event in the world on anti-doping law and regulation, providing invaluable access to insider information on the legal and scientific aspects of anti-doping.”

Full Tackling Doping in Sport programme and event information is available here.