Olympics: Italy imposes fine for doping at Olympics
Associated Press
ROME — Any Italian athlete caught doping at the Vancouver Olympics will be fined $140,000.
The Italian Olympic Committee says Tuesday that all of its 109 athletes heading to Canada will have to sign a statement agreeing to pay the sum if they test positive.
CONI president Giovanni Petrucci says the committee has add the deterrent “to show how serious Italian sport is in the fight against doping. Whoever doesn’t sign won’t go to Vancouver.”
CONI also had its athletes sign an anti-doping pledge before the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing, but without a financial penalty.
CONI is currently considering legal action against Davide Rebellin after the cyclist had his silver medal rescinded for doping in Beijing.