Doping Row Erupts

A row has broken out between Britain's doping authorities, over measures to improve controls before the 2012 London Olympics.

The British Olympic Association announced that it had established its own anti-doping commission. This sparked a furious reaction from UK Sport, the Government body which runs Britain's anti-doping programme.

John Steele, UK Sport's chief executive, said:

"We are in no way complacent.

Against that we must be wary of constant investigation and review, in particular where there is no formal mandate for it.

The last thing British sport needs, as we build up to Beijing 2008 and London 2012, is distraction, confusion about roles and duplication of effort. We all have significant roles to play - let's just get on with them."

The BOA commission has a mandate to make recommendations to "improve and strengthen" British anti-doping controls and to publish a report before next year's Games in Beijing.

A BOA spokesman said:

"Clearly we are disappointed at the reaction, as we honestly believe the commission's work can play an important part in the fight against doping.

Neither is it meant to imply any criticism of UK Sport, who work hard to ensure sport in this country is drug free."

It seems that the government doesn't like others to interfere in its plans for the Olympics.