Battle to beat drugs in sport gets boost

The net is closing in on drug cheats in sport, with heightened Government backing of the New Zealand Sport's Drug Agency.

Sports minister Trevor Mallard has introduced the Anti-Doping Bill to Parliament, which aligns New Zealand with the new code set down by the WADA.

The bill will be referred to a select committee after the election and NZSDA chief Graham Steele says it would give them the power to implement the full range of measures to stop doping under the World Anti Doping Agency code.

Steele says it has been some time in the works, and all countries are obligated to follow the WADA code.

He says the Australian cycling saga is an example of syringes being found, and the authorities having the power to deal with the issue.

Steele says the US BALCO investigation has shown up other ways of cracking down on drug cheats, rather than simply relying on positive athletes tests.

Steele says under the old legislation they were only allowed to test, not investigate.

- NEWSTALK ZB