EPC Conference in Pula, Croatia
The 2001 annual European Paralympic Committee conference was held in Pula, Croatia, April 6 to 7. About 75 delegates from 26 countries took part in the conference, which was very well-organized by the Croatian Sports Federation for the Disabled on the beautiful northern coast of the Adriatic Sea. The program included the following sessions:
- Doping, the Doping Disables Project;
- Needs and requirements in the bidding and awarding process for European Championships;
- National sports administration and interaction NPC-IPC-EPC;
- The IPC Strategic Planning Congress in Kuala Lumpur.
Doping Disables
Due to EPC’s initiative to launch a campaign against doping in the Paralympic Movement, the doping issue was a main theme at the conference. The project is run in cooperation with the IPC and with funding from the European Union. Several European NPCs are co-organizers. The IPC Medical Officer, Dr. Michael Riding, and Dr. Björn Hedman, medical expert in the Doping Disables project, delivered presentations on the history of doping in sports for the disabled as well as on the current challenges and actions. Although testing has been done sporadically since 1983 and more regularly at the Paralympic Games since 1988, there were only a few positive tests until the 11 positive cases at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. The number of tests taken in Sydney was much higher than ever before.
The conference reinforced that in order to fight doping, there is the need for national programs and out-of-competition testing. Lack of funding is the primary reason for limited out-of-competition testing. Also, current differences in organization, resources, culture and development are all factors that must be considered with regard to the doping issue. Most countries in Western Europe have established a doping policy and doping procedures and do some testing. A large majority of the athletes who tested positive come from countries where no anti-doping policy is in place.
The conference agreed that while all NPCs must abide by the IPC’s Anti-Doping Code, they must also have a written policy in place. It was further recommended that:
- NPCs that do not currently have working relationships with their National Doping Agency should contact them and work towards amending current “able-bodied” procedures to meet the specifics for athletes with a disability.
- Education programs for athletes, NPCs and all those involved in sport for athletes with a disability should be established.
- Out-of-competition testing is necessary.
The Doping Disables project has produced a campaign brochure in English, French and German. It will also be available in Braille, large text and tape.
The bidding and awarding process for European Championships
The EPC competition program in 2001 includes European Championships in eight sports and European Cup competitions in three winter sports. This is satisfying, but too often the European Championships are announced very late, due to late bids and/or delayed process leading to a final decision to award the Championships to an organizing committee. The Conference felt that EPC’s aim to have Championship bids four years in advance may be too ambitious and there were suggestions to lower it to three years if necessary.
It was also said that no bid should be accepted less than 16 months in advance. There were also suggestions to find ways to lower entry fees and costs for participation as well as for methods in encouraging bidding. The Executive Committee will have to work further on these matters. The delegates had different opinions on whether entry standards should be set for European Championships, but prevailing opinion was that there indeed should be standards.
National sports administration, interaction NPC-IPC-EPC
A Powerpoint presentation on this theme was put together and presented by Hans Lindström, EPC, and David Grevemberg, IPC Headquarters. The presentation included History & Background, the Competition Programs, the Complicated Structure, National Variations in Structure, National Responsibilities, and Classification Principles. The presentation came to being as a result of the EPC Operations Plan 2000-2001. It has been sent out by e-mail to the EPC membership and is available through the IPC HQ or Hans Lindström.
IPC Strategic Planning Congress
The EPC membership traditionally holds its conferences and General Assemblies in advance of IPC conferences and assemblies to have an opportunity to discuss motions and agendas coming up. It is not a matter of taking any joint decisions, but rather an educating exchange of views and opinions. Consequently, the IPC Strategic Planning Congress was also up for discussion in Pula. The EPC Conference very much came to the same or similar results on the major issues as the IPC Congress in Kuala Lumpur. It was felt that changes are happening, that new structures would better fit the present needs and that such structures will have to be identified. It was recognized that there is a trend to integrate into mainstream sports.
It should also be emphasized from the EPC Conference, that the planning of the steps to be taken for new scenarios and changes must be done in continuing consultation with the membership to allow for opinions and input on the road.
Hans Lindström
President, European Paralympic Committee |
