Thursday 23 July 2015

Chess and doping

The topic of random drug testing in chess events is a subject I am well acquainted with (see here for some of the details), so when the topic comes up I do take an interest.
The latest piece on this topic comes from WIM Salomeja Zaksaite, who discusses it in terms of general issues, and legal ones. Possibly the most interesting point concerns whether doping control in chess is "proportionate to the aim that is being sought to achieve?" The seems to hint that the restrictiveness caused drug testing might actually fall foul of the requirements of the European Court of Human Rights. As a result anyone who refuse to take a test (as I did) and is sanctioned may be able to have this sanction overturned.
But I suggest you read the paper yourself (I do get a mention btw) and make up your own mind about what the author is saying. It is worth noting that since 2004 FIDE did change their drug testing policy so that only players rated 2700 and above get tested, at least removing the burden on the vast majority of competitors.

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