(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-18 14:58

QIQIHAR, Northeast China -- The organizing committee of the 11th National Winter Games said here Friday that it would intensify its anti-doping efforts to ensure a safer and fairer competition environment at the 10-day national games.

"Administration has sent relevant regulations down to all parties, emphasizing the importance of anti-doping in the Winter Games," said Wang Yitao, director of Winter Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC), at a press briefing held in Qiqihar's municipal government building.

"At the Winter Games, doping tests will increase by 10 percent and severe punishment will follow for any athlete tested positive, " said Jiang Zhixue, director of GASC's science and education department.

"The year 2008 is an Olympic year and anti-doping is one of the key priorities high on our agenda. It relates to athletes' health, our nation's international image and sports' reputation," he added.

Every positive test result would carry a severe punishment, he said. It would affect the athlete's sporting career and taint the image of the team the athlete represents, the official said.

But he stressed that the main effort in this field would be  distribution of relevant knowledge and information to keep all the athletes well aware of the risks.

"I know that education is not adequately implemented in some teams. But I am sure that the situation is improving with each passing day," he said.

The 11th National Winter Games is held every four years in China.More than 1,000 athletes will compete for over 90 gold medals this time.