Drug abuse by athletes is cheating that...

Drug abuse by athletes is cheating that will not be tolerated, the head of the International Olympic Committee said, and he urged competitors to help weed out offenders.

IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch also used his speech prepared for delivery tothe opening of the IOC’s 93rd Session to criticize nations that try to use the Olympics for political gain. through boycotts and similar actions.

Speaking to an audience including Canadian dignitaries, IOC members and officials of Calgary and the organizing committee of the Winter Games that open Saturday, Samaranch directed his toughest words at drug abusers.

“What do they represent to you, this group of individuals who think they can attain your goal only by cheating and concealing the truth?” Samaranch said, calling on “the athletes of the world, sportsmen and women,” to help identify offenders.