February 10, 2008	Sunday	Safar 02,1429

WASHINGTON, Feb 9: US President George W. Bush and US Olympic officials urged lawmakers to pass an international anti-doping agreement seen as a key step before consideration of Chicago’s bid for the 2016 Olympics.

Bush said that basics of the International Convention Against Doping in Sport, drafted by the United Nations and agreed upon by more than 70 nations, are covered by US law.

But Bush added that ratification by the Senate would show the United States “as a leader in the worldwide effort to rid athletics of cheating through chemistry” and called upon US pro leagues to use it as a guideline.

US sports leagues in basketball, baseball, American football and ice hockey do not have to comply with World Anti-Doping Agency rules and athletes must condone to such standards only when playing in global events.

Jim Scherr, the US Olympic Committee chief executive officer, backed Bush’s call to the Senate.

“This is a significant step forward in the process of securing ratification of this important international anti-doping convention by our government and we join President Bush in encouraging prompt ratification by the Senate,” he said.

The pact aims at coordinating and bringing into line activities from all governments with regard to anti-doping measures, establishing a global standard that could be crucial at events such as the Olympics.

Chicago is the US bid city for the 2016 Summer Games, competing against Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokyo, Prague, Doha and Baku.—AFP