Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their assessment of support for the "Statute of Limitations" policy pursued by the International Olympic Committee as it impacts on British athletes denied medals by athletes who have subsequently admitted to taking performance-enhancing drugs.

The ‘Statute of Limitations’ policy assists further in the worldwide effort in combatting doping in sport and sends another clear message ahead of Rio 2016 that there is no hiding place for doping cheats.

The awarding of medals to athletes who have lost out to competitors who have subsequently tested positive is a matter for the International Olympic Committee. Its 2020 Agenda does however recommend that there should be formal ceremonies to be organised for medal-winners who receive their Olympic medal following the disqualification of a competitor. The Government is supportive of this approach.