Sport: Governance Standards Debate

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Baroness Grey-Thompson

Main Page: Baroness Grey-Thompson (Crossbench - Life peer)

Sport: Governance Standards

Baroness Grey-Thompson Excerpts
Tuesday 3rd May 2016

(8 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Earl of Courtown Portrait The Earl of Courtown
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Match-fixing is a problem that should be taken in the same context as athletes gaining an unfair advantage through performance-enhancing drugs. The sport strategy is looking at match-fixing as well as doping. We must also remember that my right honourable friend the Prime Minister is holding the Anti-Corruption Summit next week and sport will be on the agenda.

Baroness Grey-Thompson Portrait Baroness Grey-Thompson (CB)
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My Lords, I declare an interest as I am currently doing some work for the Minister for Sport on duty of care for sports participants. Recent cases of the use of performance-enhancing drugs have come to light because the athletes have disclosed what they are using, or there has been a fallout among the manufacturers. The testing seems to fall far behind the prohibited list. What support or protection can Her Majesty’s Government give to those who have vital information who want to blow the whistle and expose drugs cheats?

Earl of Courtown Portrait The Earl of Courtown
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My Lords, the noble Baroness is quite right. Particularly given her experience of sports administration, one should listen very carefully to what she has to say. Sports governing bodies are taking all these aspects into account, and they must establish methods and systems so that whistleblowers can carry out their role.