Racing pigeons face dope testing

LONDON (Reuters) - Pigeon racers are being subjected to random dope tests as the sport's ruling body clamps down on suspected foul play.


The Royal Pigeon Racing Association has sent test kits to 60 race organisers across the country after complaints some birds have been given performance-enhancing drugs such as anabolic steroids and synthetic hormones.


"Just like any other sport, there is a suspected small, determined band of cheats who are spoiling things for other owners," Peter Bryant, the Royal Pigeon Racing Association's general manager, told Thursday's Daily Telegraph.


"We are hoping to send more and more of the kits to smaller organisations. It is sad that it has come to this but it is the only way we are going to know if the sport is clean."


There are more than 50,000 pigeon racers, known as "pigeon fanciers", breeding a million birds a year to race against each other in what can be long-distance endurance events.

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