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program. There were, of course, plenty of
Howman, WADA’s director general, highlighted
Special Report
W H Y T H E P G A
T O U R ' S N E W A N D
I M P R O V E D W A R O N
D R U G S M U S T W O R K
“ I C A N O N L Y E N C O U R A G E T H E P G A T O U R
T O F O L L O W A N D F I N A L L Y A C C E P T T H E
W A D A C O D E A N D T O B E C O M P L I A N T W I T H
T H I S S O Y O U H A V E A H A R M O N I Z E D A N T I -
D O P I N G R E G I M E T H E R E F O R A L L T H E
G O L F P L A Y E R S A N D Y O U H A V E A . . . L E V E L
P L A Y I N G F I E L D F O R A L L G O L F E R S , ”
T H O M A S B A C H . P R E S I D E N T O F T H E
I N T E R N A T I O N A L O L Y M P I C C O M M I T T E E .
2 0 1 5 .
The desire to become part of sports largest
the issues of doping within the sport. David
showcase at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016
the issues.
meant that a culture within Golf was about
to be seriously challenged. Thomas Bach
certainly didn’t mince his words when he
“There are gaps in the program, and that
was in St. Andrews for the Open
means someone might not be tested or might
Championship in 2015. With Golf’s inclusion
not be detected,” said Howman. “If you’re not
smart, you’re not going to catch the cheats.”
within the Olympics confirmed, he was
critical of the of the PGA Tour’s anti-doping
The message was clear. If Golf wants to
reasons for this.
become part of the Olympic movement then
an update of the tour’s anti-doping policy must
Prior to Olympics, WADA (World Anti
be compliant with that of WADA. The European
Doping Agency) remained highly skeptical
Tour had already done so by using WADA rules
about the PGA Tour and how they handle
and regulations, enforcing their banned