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Tuesday, 01 November 2005 |
German swimmer Karen Koenig sues National Olympic Committee
A former East German swimmer is suing the National Olympic Committee
because of its alleged role in giving her performance enhancing drugs
when she was still a child.
Witnesses are due to start giving evidence at the trial in Berlin.
Karen Koenig, who was European swimming champion in 1984, says her health has been damaged by the early steroid use.
Other former East German athletes who may also seek compensation are
closely watching the trial. The NOC has denied responsibility for this
charge of doping.
This is one of many criminal trials of officials who have been involved
in the doping programme of the former East Germany and institutions are
being taken to court as former athletes seek compensation due them.
Karen Koenig claims she was given performance-enhancing drugs from the
age of 12 or 13 and that her trainers told her they were only vitamins.
The drugs may have helped her become European champion in 1984, but she
is sure they also caused her to gain weight and even caused her to be
admitted to hospital for clinical depression from which she still
suffers.
Karen Koenig has been trying to win compensation from the NOC for several years and now the first witnesses are being heard.
Her case rests on several issues: East German secret police archives
point to the involvement of NOC representatives, and the former head of
the committee was convicted in connection with doping five years ago.
If Karen Koenig is successful, a further 137 East German athletes are waiting to follow her example and will sue the NOC.
However the committee says other sporting organisations in East Germany
had far more power than the NOC ever did, and that they were really
responsible for what had happened.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 01 November 2005 )
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