Drug tests at Asia-Pac games

ATHLETES will be randomly drug tested at the upcoming Arafura Games in Darwin.

The week-long event, which attracts thousands of athletes from 20 countries mainly in the Asia-Pacific region, begins in Darwin on May 14.

Northern Territory Sports Minister John Ah Kit said the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA) would conduct random testing to international standards.

"Athletes attending the Arafura Games 2005 should feel comfortable that they are competing not only amongst their sporting neighbours, but also on a level playing field," Mr Ah Kit said.

The Games were last held in 2001, after the outbreak of SARS forced organisers to pull the plug on the 2003 event.

The Arafura Games began in 1991 as the Arafura Sports Festival with 1500 participants from seven countries competing in 13 sports. By the time the sixth Games were held in 2001, participation had soared to more than 3100 athletes representing 25 nations, with competition in 29 sports.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Mon, 11 April 2005
Source: Australian Associated Press
Website: http://www.aap.com.au
Copyright: 2005 Australian Associated Press