Leading Anti-Doping in the IOC: the ambiguous role of Prince Alexandre de Merode

Abstract

First paragraph: From the sixties, the Olympic Games became one of the visible and international battlegrounds on drugs in sport. This is not to say that other areas were not important. Elite level events in cycling, athletics, weight-lifting and other sports provided key moments, scandals and a catalyst for policy changes. However, the historical and cultural symbolism of the Olympics charged the doping question with more significance than any other event or sport ever did. While a number of critical histories have detailed the failings and struggles of the IOC's fight against doping, none has directly asked the question, What was the contribution of the man who held the most important position in global anti-doping for over 30 years? Prince Alexandre de Merode was Chairman of the IOC Medal Commission from 1967 until his death in 2002.