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IOC seeks government help to fight doping, betting

(Agencies)
Updated: 2011-07-06 10:21

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge speaks to the media at King Shaka International Airport upon arrival for the 123rd IOC Session in Durban, July 4, 2011. [Photo/Agencies]

DURBAN, South Africa - The sports world needs help from governments to crack down on doping, cheating and illegal betting, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge said on Tuesday.

Rogge said the Olympic movement is in strong shape but there is no room for "complacency" against performance-enhancing drugs, fixing and judging and refereeing scandals.

He also warned of "increased risks caused by illegal and irregular betting."

"Protecting the integrity of sport is a priority for the IOC," Rogge said. "The IOC is convinced that, in all these areas, cooperation with governments is essential to ensure that our athletes can compete in fair and upright sports events." Rogge spoke at the ceremonial opening of the IOC's 123rd session in Durban.

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Among the high-profile attendees were the newly married royals from Monaco, IOC member Prince Albert II and former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock.

On Wednesday, the IOC will vote on the host city for the 2018 Winter Games. The three candidates are Annecy, France; Munich, Germany; and Pyeongchang, South Korea.

"I cannot predict the outcome of the vote, but I can say with confidence that the city selected to host the 2018 Olympic Winter Games will have the capacity to deliver outstanding results," Rogge said.

Rogge praised South Africa for its place in the sports world. A year ago, the country hosted the first World Cup in Africa.

"South Africa has demonstrated the power of sport in many ways, so it is altogether fitting that the new South Africa has earned an influential role in the Olympic Movement in a very short period of time," he said.

South Africa was banned for nearly 30 years from the Olympic movement because of the former government's apartheid policies. South Africa returned to the Olympics at the 1992 Barcelona Games.

"Your Olympians have competed with honor and distinction, and you have contributed to our movement in other important ways," Rogge said. "The 2010 FIFA World Cup was a global showcase for the new South Africa and a significant milestone for the entire continent."

Rogge steered away from mentioning the possibility of a South African bid for the Olympics.

Durban had looked like a potential leading candidate for the 2020 Olympics, but the government said in May that it was not the right time for a bid, citing pressing social and economic needs in the country of 50 million people.

However, South Africa Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula has said that a 2020 bid could still be revived before the September 1 deadline for applications to the IOC.

Also speaking at the ceremony was South Africa President Jacob Zuma, who said sports had played an important role in promoting unity in the country since democratic elections 17 years ago. He noted this is the first meeting in Africa of the IOC general assembly since its session in Cairo more than 70 years ago.

Zuma awarded Rogge a prestigious national honor, the Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo, named after former ANC President Oliver Tambo, for the IOC's role in fighting apartheid and then welcoming South Africa back into the fold.

Zuma earlier offered a special welcome to Prince Albert and "our own Princess Charlene of Monaco."

"We can continue to treasure the pride that Princesss Charlene brought to South Africa as an Olympic swimmer," he said at an official luncheon with IOC members. "She continues to be our wonderful ambassador to the world."

The two were wed in Monaco last weekend in a ceremony attended by dozens of Albert's fellow IOC members.