The Commission chaired by Prof. Arne Ljungqvist, Chair of the IOC Medical Commission and World Anti Doping Agency Vice President, has presented its recommendations to the FEI Bureau, which agreed in principle to the Commission’s recommendations and further agreed to the creation of several smaller Working Groups to carry the work forward. These Groups have now been set up.
The Commission’s report has been made available to the National Federations and the FEI Associate Members. The specifics regarding legislation and the implementation of the new Medication Program will be open to consultation with the NFs on 30 June 2009.
The main proposals outlined in the Commission’s report are as follows:
Two lists
The FEI general policy based on very few permitted medications in competitions was deemed appropriate. It is important to note that the FEI has never used the term “zero tolerance”, rather “drug-free and medication-free competition” are more indicative of the FEI’s policy.
In order to clarify the difference between medication and banned substances and emphasize the FEI’s concern for the welfare of the horse, the Commission proposed that two separate lists be established: one of all known substances which are recognised as therapeutic, commonly used substances and which are considered acceptable in equine medicine; the other a list of substances that have been deemed by the FEI not to have legitimate use in equine medicine. The substances on both lists would remain prohibited in competition, and the lists would be monitored and updated annually.
Two separate sets of rules
Two separate sets of rules would be established bearing distinct sanctions, with sanctions for substances that are not considered acceptable in equine medicine resembling those of human athletes under the World Anti-Doping Code. The person responsible (PR) would continue to primarily be the athlete who rides or drives the horse during the event. Nevertheless, owner and other support personnel including but not limited to grooms and veterinarians could also be regarded as additional PRs and incur the relevant disciplinary measures.
Administrative sanctioning would apply to all medication rule violations. Furthermore, efforts at ensuring a harmonized approach to testing across FEI laboratories would continue.
The goal of this approach is to clearly distinguish for the athlete, media, and public at large, the difference between truly reprehensible rule violations that are unacceptable from the standpoint of fairness, welfare, or both, from those which more likely result from use of legitimate medication too close to competition.
A number of recommendations were made concerning the prevalence of testing and mechanisms to ensure that horses can be medication-free for competition.
Strong emphasis on education and communication
Strong emphasis has been placed on educational and communications efforts necessary to improve the knowledge of these policies and the understanding of FEI’s commitment to clean sport. Global education and communication campaigns addressing the sport at large are the key to success and are currently being set up.
The relevant rules will be put to the FEI General Assembly in November 2009, to come into effect on 1 January 2010.
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