Aussie Olympic boss wants tougher anti-doping body

SYDNEY (AFP) - Australian Olympic chief John Coates on Tuesday renewed his calls for the nation's anti-doping body to have to right to compel witnesses to give evidence as it probes doping in cycling.

The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (Asada) said on Monday it will launch an investigation after former Olympic cyclist Matt White admitted involvement in the Lance Armstrong doping conspiracy.

In a letter to Sport Minister Kate Lundy sent on Tuesday, Mr Coates welcomed her recent comments affirming Asada's commitment to protecting athletes' health and the integrity of Australian sport through the elimination of doping.

"I suggest that the government should again consider strengthening Asada's powers to investigate allegations of doping practices by including the power to compel witnesses to attend and give evidence and to produce documents relevant to such investigations," he wrote.