Tanni Grey-Thompson backs BOA drug cheat bylaw

[divingbrit]

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson has revealed that she nearly included a recommendation to drug test coaches during her widespread doping review of UK Athletics.

Grey-Thompson's review back in 2009 brought about a toughening of sanctions against drug users, but she said a key measure she wishes she had now included was to have coaches and support staff around athletes also undergo drug tests.

She believes some coaches may be drug takers themselves and sending wrong messages to athletes.

"It wouldn't hurt for them to understand what we have to go through for a drug test either," she said.

The multi-medal winning Paralympian also backed the British Olympic Association's bylaw that prohibits the selection of anyone with a doping conviction.

Despite noises from cycling and track and field at the time of LaShawn Merritt's court victory, which gave the athlete the right to compete at the London Olympics, no one has yet challenged the BOA's tough position.

By Jacquelin Magnay
Telegraph