China has set a good example in its anti-doping campaign, Dick Pound, president of the World Anti-Doping Agency stated on Friday in Beijing before concluding his three-day visit to the Chinese capital.

 

"I think there will be very few countries in the world now that have organized and approached the fight against doping in sports as well as China," Pound said. "I think it's possible that we will be able to use China as an example of an effective fighter of doping in sports."

 

Invited to Beijing by the Chinese government, Pound inspected doping control facilities and had discussions with Chinese anti-doping staff.

 

Pound, who in May accused China of failing to conduct adequate doping tests, admitted that his view about China had changed a lot as a result of his visit.

 

"The comment was probably based on discussions last year," he said. "Coming back this time, our team was remarkably impressed with the tremendous progress that had been made."

 

Government support and coordination is one of the main reasons for Pound's praise.

 

He said he was told that the Chinese government held meetings with a dozen government departments, including representatives from the sports and food and drug administrations, to discuss coordinated anti-doping measures.

 

China's highly professional doping test facility is another reason, as well as its education program, he said.

 

"The laboratory here in Beijing could become a reference laboratory. It is absolutely state-of-the-art," he said. "China's anti-doping agency has begun to develop some very interesting educational programs, which are directed at coaches, athletes and the public."

 

As Pound said, China has made a great effort in its anti-doping campaign in recent years. The number of doping tests reached 9,424 last year and is expected to top 10,000 this year.

 

A new and independent anti-doping organization, the Chinese Anti-Doping Center, is about to be set up, with around 40 staff, which aims to further crack down on the use of drugs by athletes.

 

"All in all, it's a very comprehensive and complete program. I think it would be a very good model for other countries," Pound said.

 

As for the anti-doping measures at the Beijing Olympics next year, Pound also gave his thumb-up.

 

"As for drug testing during the Games, you can assume it will be the best," he said.

 

"Whether the Games will be clean, I don't know. That depends on the cheats. But if they come and they are filled with drugs, we will find them."

 

The number of doping tests at the Beijing Games will increase to 4,500, up from 3,700 in Athens in 2004. A new laboratory has been set up in Beijing to meet the needs of doping tests during the Games.

 

(China Daily September 29, 2007)