<p>TURIN, Italy, Feb. 6 -- Athletes who test positive for banned substances during the Winter Games will be subject to criminal proceedings in Italian court, but the nation's police will not conduct random searches for drugs in the athletes' village, an Italian government official said Monday.</p>
<p>Despite months of pleas for a moratorium on the enforcement of Italy's strict anti-doping laws during the Olympics from sports officials, Italian legislators have insisted that the laws remain in place, meaning athletes could face penalties beyond bans from their sports if they test positive.</p>
<p>"In Italy, we have very strict anti-doping laws," said International Olympic Committee member Mario Pescante, also the Olympics' government supervisor who led negotiations on the issue. "If any athlete is positive, in that case the Italian court will intervene. No exceptions."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/06/AR2006020601659.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/06/AR2006020601659.html</a><br />
</p>
Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:36:20 -0600
<p>Despite months of pleas for a moratorium on the enforcement of Italy's strict anti-doping laws during the Olympics from sports officials, Italian legislators have insisted that the laws remain in place, meaning athletes could face penalties beyond bans from their sports if they test positive.</p>
<p>"In Italy, we have very strict anti-doping laws," said International Olympic Committee member Mario Pescante, also the Olympics' government supervisor who led negotiations on the issue. "If any athlete is positive, in that case the Italian court will intervene. No exceptions."</p>
<p><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/06/AR2006020601659.html">http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/06/AR2006020601659.html</a><br />
</p>
Mon, 06 Feb 2006 12:36:20 -0600
