Latvia: Illegal drug use by members of Latvian national sports teams and, in particular, the national volleyball team; reports of involvement of team management and/or state authorities in encouraging or condoning drug use
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 27 December 2002 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | LVA39890.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Latvia: Illegal drug use by members of Latvian national sports teams and, in particular, the national volleyball team; reports of involvement of team management and/or state authorities in encouraging or condoning drug use, 27 December 2002, LVA39890.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3f7d4dc715.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Reports of illegal drug use among Latvian national sports team members were scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. However, a 31 January 2002 Los Angeles Times article stated that after being suspended by the International Bobsled Federation (FIBT) for testing positive for the drug nandrolone, Latvian bobsled athlete Sandis Prusis won his appeal with the FIBT and was able to compete in the Salt Lake City Olympics. Another news report refers to a Latvian rower, Andris Reinholds, who was unable to compete in the Olympics in Sydney after he failed a drug test (Deutsche Presse-Agentur 24 Sept. 2000).
No reports of illegal drug use among members of the Latvian national volleyball team or involvement of management or state authorities in encouraging or condoning drug use were found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
The Latvian Olympic Committee and the National Sports Council have both held meetings to address anti-doping issues, according to a 14 March 2002 Baltic News Service report. Moreover, in December 2002, Latvian government officials attended the 5th meeting of the International Inter-governmental Consultative Group on Anti-Doping in Sport (IICGADS) in Moscow (8-11 Dec. 2002).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Baltic News Service (BNS) [Riga]. 14 March 2002. "Ice-Hockey Team Did Best Job Among Latvia's Olympic Athletes: Sports Officials." (NEXIS)
Deutsche Presse-Agentur [Sydney]. 24 September 2000. "Latvian Rower Andris Reinhold Caught Doping." (NEXIS)
International Inter-governmental Consultative Group on Anti-Doping in Sport (IICGADS). 8-11 December 2002. "Moscow Communique On Anti-Doping in Sport." Los Angeles Times.31 January 2002. Helene Elliott. "Appeal is Next for Jovanovic." (NEXIS)
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB Databases
LEXIS/NEXIS
Internet sites, including:
Baltic Times
Concerted Action in the Fight Against Doping in Sport (CAFDIS)
Drugs in Sport
The Olympic Movement
Pravda
Radio Free Europe: Weekday Magazine-Latvia
Riga Drug Rehabilitation Sport Information Resource Center
Sport Information Resource Center
World Anti-Doping Agency
World News Connection
