By Duncan Mackay in London
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

June 2 - A confidential telephone hot line that officials hope will help catch drugs cheats in the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics was officially launched by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) here today.


The initiative, first announced last year, has been launched to coincide with UKAD's first six months of operation.

By dialing 0800 0322332, callers will be able to speak to someone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The phone line will be operated by Crimestoppers and calls will be answered by professional call handlers training in anti-doping.

All information will be fed into the UKAD Intelligence Unit and processed following the National Intelligence Model widely used by law enforcement.

Hugh Robertson, the new Sports and Olympics Minister, who helped launch the hot line, is confident that it will help ensure that Britain's reputation is not damaged by a major doping scandal.

He said: "There is no greater threat to the integrity of London's Olympics than doping.

"It is incumbent upon us as the host city to have the strongest possible anti-doping measures in place."

Andy Parkinson, the chief executive of UKAD, said: "We are urging them to come forward with any information on doping, no matter how insignificant they might feel it is.

"The smallest amount of information could be the missing link that enables us to take action and protect sport from those who want to cheat."

Parkinson claimed that processes are in place to ensure athletes will not be forced defend themselves against false claims that they are taking banned performance-enhancing drugs.

He said: "Once we get the information from Crimestoppers, then we’ve got an intelligence function of seven people who will evaluate it, research it and investigate it appropriately.

"This is a positive thing because it will protect clean athletes from malicious calls.

"We will evaluate and verify any intelligence before we do something with it."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2010: Former England rugby captain and Premiership footballer join anti-doping committee
April 2010: London 2012 links-up with UKAD to help deliver biggest-ever anti-doping programme
January 2010: Sir Craig to be special advisor to UKAD
December 2009: Parkinson hails new era in fight against doping
December 2009: UKAD complete team as it gets ready to open doors