IOC calls conference to discuss role of WADA

LONDON (AP) - The IOC has decided to hold a conference on the role of the World Anti-Doping Agency amid increasing tensions over how to deal with performance-enhancing drugs.

IOC director general Christophe De Kepper tells The Associated Press the meeting will be held in Lausanne, Switzerland, in late April or early May with international sports federations, national Olympic committees and athletes.

The decision was made by the IOC executive board this week in Lausanne, Switzerland, but was not publicly announced.

The board acted after a formal request was made to IOC President Jacques Rogge by Francesco Ricci Bitti, head of the Association of Summer Olympic International Federations, which represents the 26 sports in the games.