DECLARATION BY THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL of 4 June 1991 on action to combat the use of drugs, including the abuse of medicinal products, in sport (91/C 170/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES AND THE MINISTERS FOR HEALTH OF THE MEMBER STATES, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL,

Having regard to the resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 3 December 1990 on Community action to combat the use of drugs, including the abuse of medicinal products, particularly in sport, and pending swift implementation of the action called for,

Emphasizing the importance, in such action, of preventive and educational measures as advocated by the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe,

Mindful of the need for complementary action and close cooperation with the ministers responsible for sport,

- reiterate their concern over drug use in sport and once more warn against the serious consequences for the health of sportsmen and women and against the harmful effects that such practices may have on the population in general and young people in particular,

-call upon the governmental and non-governmental bodies involved in the forthcoming Olympic Games in Albertville and Barcelona to pursue the efforts started and to take all necessary steps to see that athletes train, and events are conducted, honestly and fairly without the use of drugs,

-and appeal to all competitors in national and international competitions, and particularly in the Olympic Games to be held within the Community, to undertake - in accordance with the Olympic Charter - as an example to all sportsmen and women, and in particular to young people, not to resort to drugs or to abuse medicinal products when training for, and taking part in, these sporting events.