The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) informed senior athletes and their support personnel about the importance of blood testing and the Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) at the annual Senior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshop, which was held at The Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Saturday, November 21, 2015. JADCO began collecting blood samples in June 2015.

Speaking at the workshop, Carey Brown, Executive Director at JADCO stated, “The objective of this workshop was to ensure that our senior athletes are well informed of anti-doping procedures ahead of the 2016 Olympics which will be held inRio de Janeiro, Brazil.” He further added, “Since JADCO is now conducting blood collection as a part of our doping control procedures, there is need for greater awareness among stakeholders. This workshop also provided a forum for participants to air their questions and concerns regarding the newly introduced process.”

Also speaking at the workshop, Sheldon Samuels, student athlete at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Mona expressed his appreciation for the Commission’s effort to ensure that athletes and support personnel are aware of blood testing procedures. “This has been a good workshop and my understanding of the procedures has been enhanced.” He further added, “Blood testing is necessary to protect clean athletes.”

The Commission also used this workshop as an opportunity to provide participants with values-based education and encouraged stakeholders to abide by ethical practices throughout their career and lives.

Leona Dyer, college nurse at the Bethlehem Moravian College, endorsed the Commission’s effort to make participants aware of how they can apply the spirit of sport values. “This was an informative and enlightening workshop and the spirit of sport values will help our athletes to make good decisions.”

The workshop also included presentations on the functions and responsibilities of JADCO, the doping control process and prohibited substances and methods. Dr. Alfred Dawes, medical practitioner, delivered the presentation on prohibited substances and methods.

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