Minister to attend Anti-Doping committee

Chris Tremain. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Internal Affairs Minister Chris Tremain will attend the world anti-doping agency executive committee in London next week.

New Zealand represents Oceania on the committee - the members include sport ministers from South Africa, Canada, Japan, the European Union, and international Olympic committee representatives from Egypt, Switzerland, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Italy.

Mr Tremain is attending on behalf of Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully.

"The agenda will be dominated by the review of the world anti-doping code. New Zealand's position on the committee is very important to reflect our strong stance against doping," Mr Tremain said.

"I will also attend the closing ceremony of the London Paralympic Games, and hope to be able to meet with some of our outstanding athletes."

The meeting is timely given New Zealander Valerie Adams' achievements were promoted to a gold medal in early August when it was revealed Belarusian Nadzeya Ostapchuk had tested positive for the banned anabolic agent metenolone before and after competing.

Adams and many of her Kiwi fans called for a gold medal ceremony to be held to replace the one she was "robbed" of by Ostapchuk in London.

Mr McCully contacted Adams' manager Nick Cowan to organise a ceremony for her gold medal win when she returns to New Zealand.

"I would have loved to see her standing on the podium and hear the New Zealand national anthem, but it didn't work out - it's been a real roller coaster ride for her but she's a great New Zealander and a great athlete," he said.

Adams has competed in seven competitions since the Olympics and will return in October.