Sir, - The time has now come for the Austrian Government, which holds the presidency of the European Union, to convene a special meeting of EU sports ministers to see how best the EU can co-ordinate efforts to combat drug-taking in sport.
I fully welcome the recent statements from the International Olympic Council that a conference is being organised by the IOC itself into the issue next January.
However, it does appear that the IOC and national sporting organisations need more streamlined structures so as to deal effectively with this growing problem.
The European Union, which already supports sporting organisations in Europe through the "Eurathlon" programme, should now look for innovative ways to spearhead the battle.
While I do not have all the answers as to how best this objective can be achieved, at a minimum greater financial resources must be put aside for medical research programmes into the health consequences of illicit drug use in sport, as well as into drug detection initiatives.
Consultation between the EUn and national sporting organisations must now take place so that new, innovative and structured systems can be put into place so that the battle to stop the illegal use of drugs in sport can be effectively fought and ultimately won.
What we recently witnessed during the Tour de France was possibly more a case of a glorified "Tour de Pharmacy", as Time magazine has contended. This event was televised around the world and gave a very damaging image of cycling in Europe and elsewhere.
National sporting organisations and EU member-state Governments must complement one another and work in a cohesive manner to take the lead in the battle against illicit drug use. - Yours, etc., Niall Andrews MEP,
European Parliament Office,
Molesworth Street,
Dublin 2.