World Anti-Doping Agency – Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Itlay-Independent observer Nioze leaves for Turin today |07 February 2006

During the Winter Olympics, to be hosted by Turin from February 10 to 26, Nioze, 39, will act as an independent observer for doping control.

Speaking to Sports Nation, Nioze said:
“I’m confident about what I have to do. I had a telephone interview with the other 11 observers sometime back in January and we are all looking forward to tackle the assignment. One mission is likely to last at least 10 hours.”

Nioze’s role as an independent observer in Turin is to help ensure that the doping control process is both fair and seen to be fair, through his observations and reporting.

It must be noted that Wada was established in November 1999 to promote doping-free sports in all aspects at international level. The Office of the Independent Observer was created by Wada in 2000. The aim of the office is to help demonstrate doping control transparency and accountability at Olympic Games, other major Games and World Championships with the fundamental purpose of strengthening athlete and public confidence.

All independent observers will remain in the pool for a minimum of two years.
To be selected as an independent observer, an athlete must have retired, have competed at Olympic Games or World Championship level. The athlete must also have been selected for doping control in his career and must not have had a doping infraction.

Nioze twice took doping tests in 1990 at the Commonwealth Games in Auckland, New Zealand, and after his triple jump gold medal win at the African Championship in Douala, Cameroon, in 1996. Both tests returned negative.

After a career spanning 17 years, Nioze retired in 2000 after participating in two Olympic Games, three World Athletics Championships, a number of African Athletics Championships, several editions of the Indian Ocean Islands Games, All-Africa Games and other competitions.

Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Jacques Rogge has said that he expects the Turin Games will live up to Italy's reputation for professionalism with a "touch of flair."

Rogge, who will stay in the athletes’ village, arrived in Turin last Saturday ahead of the Games’ opening ceremony this coming Friday.
The IOC president has predicted "fantastic performances" by athletes during the Games, singling out numerous gold medal contenders, including skiers Bode Miller and Hermann Maier and figure skater Michelle Kwan.

Rogge also cited the IOC's resolve to catch drug cheats, noting that 1,200 doping tests will be carried out - an increase of more than 70 percent over the number of checks at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

"I think we have put the strongest possible measures," he said. "I hope this would have a very strong deterrent effect."

G. G.