WADA FIGHTS DRUGS IN SPORTS

John Fahey, chief of the World Anti-Doping Agency and leading the global fight against drugs in sport has urged governments to speed up their implementation of anti-doping laws.

Of the 191 countries that agreed to implement a United Nations-backed anti-drugs convention in 2003, only 77 have so far done so.

"Without government support, we cannot address many issues at national level, including the production, possession and distribution of banned substances," he urged. "The sad reality is that many governments are yet to outlaw such practices."

Despite his frustration, he said things were improving. He told the BBC that Wada had been working with the International Olympic Committee and the Chinese organisers to ensure the anti-drugs framework would be stronger than ever at the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

Wada director general David Howman confirmed that leading athletes competing in the Beijing Olympics would be targeted for pre-Olympic, out-of-competition testing by an International Olympic Committee anti-doping task force. "We will give the IOC advice on who to target," he said. "I want athletes to be really worried that they're going to get caught."

Fahey, a former Australian finance minister, took charge of Wada in January, replacing former president Dick Pound. He is due to hold meetings with sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe and Fifa president Sepp Blatter.