Pubdate: Sat, 11 Aug 2001
Source: Deseret News (UT)
Copyright: 2001 Deseret News Publishing Corp.
Contact:  http://www.desnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/124
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

DRUG TESTS FOR CHESS PLAYERS?

FRAMINGHAM, Mass. - If the world's leading chess federation gets its 
way, the game will be included in the Olympics - as long as the 
competitors agree to the drug tests. The Federation Internationale 
des Echecs, the organization leading the push, has already begun 
testing for substances banned at the Olympics in an effort to boost 
its credentials.

That has rankled some players who call drug-testing in chess a 
logistical headache and a logical absurdity.

"What, human-growth hormones so we can bang the clock harder?" said 
Jim Leade, a U.S. representative to FIDE who thinks the organization 
is being too strict. "It absolutely registers as ridiculous."

The issue is on the agenda Saturday at the U.S. Chess Federation's 
annual meeting here, which coincides with the end of the 102nd U.S. 
Open.

Delegates will debate motions to ban testing at U.S. events. Many say 
they are dumbfounded by the drug-testing proposals but are willing to 
sacrifice to help make chess an Olympic sport.

Chess enthusiasts acknowledge that their bid is unusual but insist 
the game is a legitimate sport.

"It's competitive, it requires endurance," said George DeFeis, 
executive director of the U.S. Chess Federation. "It's a mind game 
that tests the stamina of each chess player. I think the Olympics 
will benefit from seeing how other sports that are not so physical, 
though mentally fierce, compete."

FIDE says chess has Olympic-scale appeal, with 156 member federations 
and 5 million registered players. It has applied for consideration 
and has received official recognition from the International Olympic 
Committee. But that's only a first step.

IOC spokeswoman Emmanuelle Moreau said there is no possibility of 
adding chess at the 2004 Games in Athens, which has already reached 
its cap of 10,000 athletes. Chess wouldn't work at the Winter Games - 
rules allow only sports played on ice or snow.

Moreau also said Olympic officials will not add sports unless others 
drop out, and chess backers note that at least a dozen other sports, 
including fin swimming, surfing, billiards, want to become Olympic 
events.

Then there's the question of whether chess is a sport.

The Olympic Charter includes guidelines to ensure only widely popular 
sports are included, such as requiring participation in 75 countries 
and at least four continents. But other than banning sports that use 
motors, the IOC has discretion to determine what constitutes a sport.

"We always thought that sport should involve some element of physical 
skill," said Dick Pound, an IOC member from Canada. He said chess had 
little chance of becoming an Olympic sport.
- ---
MAP posted-by: