International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge says he is confident a compromise can be reached over Italy's tough anti-doping laws before the Turin Olympics start next February.
Rogge acknowledged that Italy would not change its tough anti-doping laws. However, he said he hoped a "working solution" to the impasse could be found.
Italy treats doping as a criminal offense, meaning that athletes could be arrested if they test positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The IOC and the World Anti-Doping Agency treat drug offenses as a sporting violation, not a crime.
Under Italian law, police could raid the athletes' village, and any athlete who tests positive could be taken to jail. Rogge is expected to meet with Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi next month, but would not give any details of their planned discussion.
Meanwhile, Rogge said the IOC would continue its "zero tolerance" policy against doping. The number of drug tests will be increased by 45 percent from the 2002 Games, with 1,200 tests given in Turin.
Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.