LONDON (AP) — The IOC’s top anti-doping official says he has seen no convincing evidence that athletes can inadvertently test positive for clenbuterol or other banned drugs by eating contaminated meat.
In a Friday interview with The Associated Press, Prof. Arne Ljungqvist says claims of food contamination in doping cases are “old stories” and have never been accepted by an international sports panel.
Ljungqvist, chairman of the IOC’s medical commission, says he remains dubious of claims of accidental doping — a defense used by Tour de France champion Alberto Contador.
Ljungqvist said the sports world must keep working on the principle of “strict liability,” whereby athletes are held responsible for what’s found in their system.
