New anti-doping legislation - Orwellian or just as well?

ATHLETES hoping to compete at the London 2012 Olympics be warned. Not only is Big Brother watching you, he looks all set to release the hounds if and when he pleases.

CLAMPING DOWN: BOA chief executive Colin Moynihan wants to introduce stringent legislation for drugs cheats at London 2012 (Getty Images)

British Olympic Association chairman Colin Moynihan has proposed new and more stringent anti-doping measures that would permit police to raid the Athletes' Village at London 2012.

Moynihan, Sports Minister in Thatcherite Britain and now a Tory Peer, has labelled the measures as a ‘necessary weapon' to clamp down on doping and to reinforce Great Britain's reputation as among the least tolerant with regards to drugs in sport in the world.

"It would mean that if someone was blood doping at the Olympic Village in 2012, the police would have the right under law to search the premises under a warrant," he said.

"It is not that uncommon in Games and it has happened at the Winter Olympics.

"If athletes know that could happen, we are going to deter people from cheating and doing themselves harm.

"It is important that it should be on the statute book. I do not believe the bill will be contentious."

The Iron Lady would be proud.

Moynihan's intentions cannot be faulted. He is an ardent anti-doping exponent and has been vociferous in his condemnation of convicted drugs cheats such as Dwain Chambers, who has a lifetime ban from the Olympics as a result of a BOA bye-law.

He seemingly does not deny that scaremongering is part and should be part of the UK's approach to anti-doping.