April 2004

SUPPORT URGED FOR CONFERENCE ON FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

The Chairman of the IGA, Bo Frykenstam, is urging member islands to support the conference on food supplements which is planned to take place in Visby in September 2004.

So far only Ynys Mon and Aland have given a commitment to attend but Mr. Frykenstam says the issues to be discussed at the conference have major implications for all member islands. Recent international events have highlighted the problems where some preparations do not list all the substances involved and could lead to competitors, unknowingly, falling foul of drug testers.

Speakers will be travelling from Sweden to address the gathering and workshops are to be held to start planning for the education of coaches and athletes in the delegates’ home islands of the dangers emanating from food supplements. Sweden itself has taken a firm stance and the Swedish Sports Confederation - the sports’ umbrella body - has recommended that no athlete should take food supplements.

Mr. Frykenstam has expressed the hope that as many members as possible will attend the conference. Some islands will be eligible for funding through their membership of the European Union while the possibility of others being supported financially to attend, through the NatWest Sports Development Programme, is also being investigated.

ENDS