The Medical Commission of the International Wushu Federation (IWF) had recommended to the sport's world governing body on the details to carry out doping tests at the 2001 World Wushu Championships slated for October this year in Armenia.

This will be the first time in the history that doping tests is introduced into the world championships for the traditional Chinese martial arts. The Chinese Wushu Association began doping control at national competitions four years ago and such tests had been done in some of the regional competition for the sport.

According to the Medical Commission's recommendation, a selected group of competitors will be subject to doping tests at the world championships and their urine samples will be tested to a Beijing-based laboratory clarified and sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"The selection of competitors for such tests will be done in a reasonable and fair way so as to guarantee the quality and effectiveness of doping control," said Zhang Changjiu of China, chairman of the Medical Commission.

The tests at the world championships will be done in accordance with the rules approved by the IWF's Executive Committee, which is in light of the IOC's related rules.

If any competitor is tested positive of the banned drugs listed by the IWF, which are identical to those banned by the IOC, the IWF will suspend the competitor for the same length of time as set by the IOC. An offense of the Category A illegal drugs leads to a four-year suspension while taking any of Category B banned substances will cause the competitor to be banned from any competitions for two years.

No positive results have been reported so far, according to Zhang.

"It's very necessary and important for the IWF to bring doping control into its world championships. It will help the sport to develop in a more rapid and healthy way," he said.

The Medical Commission's chief admitted that the IWF faces a lack of funds for doping control but he still felt confident that Wushu's world governing body would make increasing efforts in the worldwide fight against illegal drugs in sports.

The Medical Commission's recommendation shall be subject to the approval by the IWF's Executive Committee, Zhang added.

(People's Daily 03/24)