As a first step, Schweitzer proposes to add clear “Anti Doping Prevention” regulations to National Sport Aid.  This will mean that athletes will be bound by contract to the new Anti-Doping-Regulations which will themselves reflect existing rules such as those outlined in the Anti Doping Convention of the Council of Europe.

Schweitzer said: “Any athlete that is proved to have broken the regulations will not only lose National Sport Aid funding but will have to repay any funding already received from National Sport Aid.

“It is our duty to eradicate all forms of doping in sport in Austria and these new measures are a sign of our determination to do this.  We must also continue to expand our education programmes on fair play in sports via our educational, social, medical, scientific and sports action plans and, as State Secretary for Sport, I am determined that this happens”.

Schweitzer has also called for a National Arbitration Committee to be chaired by a judge, with the help of a sports medicine professional, solicitors and former top athletes to arbitrate on cases.