Colorado Springs (pps) Calling for tough actions on doping offenders, the Athletes’ Commission of the International Olympic Committee, IOC, ended in Colorado Springs, USA. Canada’s Jeff Chrisie, Athletes’ Representative of the International Luge Federation, FIL, also attended the Forum. According to an IOC release, the Athletes’ Commission calls for a lifetime Olympic ban for all athletes who are convicted of “deliberate and aggravated” doping offences. At the same time, it was recommended that coaches, doctors and other members of the athletes’ entourage who are found to be taking part in illegal doping practises should also be convicted and sanctioned. This is the reaction of the Athletes’ Commission to the decision of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS. The CAS declared that the so-called “Osaka rule” did not comply with the IOC charter. According to this rule that was decided upon in Osaka in 2007, athletes who have to serve a more than a six-month long doping suspension are automatically ineligible to compete at the next two Olympic Games. “It is important that the strong and growing number of athletes’ voices are taken into account in the Olympic movement”, explained Frankie Fredericks, Chairman of the IOC Athletes’ Commission and former world-class sprinter. “We are committed to put the athletes in the centre of our activities. And we should take action when they voice their opion so clearly and powerfully on such topics.”