Italy’s Anti-Doping Rules of Concern to IOC

Apparently fearing the spectacle of police raids on the athletes’ village at the 2006 Winter Games, the International Olympic Committee expressed concern Thursday about Italy’s anti-doping rules, under which athletes suspected of doping can face criminal sanctions.

Six-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong said in an interview last year that he was unlikely to take part in this year’s premier Italian cycling event, the Giro d’Italia, because of concerns the police might take him and his team in for questioning.

IOC officials said they had reminded Italian officials of the expectation that Olympic anti-doping rules would take priority during the Olympics. Such rules could lead to a number of sanctions, including a ban from competition, but have not traditionally escalated to criminal inquiry.

Italian officials said they expected to comply with IOC demands, but added that they also said they must not show weakness in the anti-doping campaign.

“In this country, the fight against doping is a very serious fight,” said Mario Pescante, a government undersecretary and veteran IOC member.