Over 80 athletes and support personnel turned out to support the sixth annual Senior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshop hosted by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), at the Knutsford Court Hotel on Saturday, November 16, 2019. The workshop was held under the theme, “Protecting Clean Sport, Moving Forward Together”.
Speaking at the workshop, Executive Director of JADCO, June Spence-Jarrett said, “We urge you to familiarise yourselves with the information disseminated and to learn more about the World Anti-Doping Code, Anti-Doping Rule Violations and your rights and responsibilities, as you strive to adhere to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA’s) six international standards.” She further added, “Athletes who commit Anti-Doping Rule Violations not only tarnish their own reputation, but that of our country. I want to encourage you all to make wise decisions which are aligned to the values associated with fair play in sport.”
Also speaking at the workshop, Tiffany James-Rose, a representative of Cameron Blazers Track and Field Club and Mico University College track team said “I think it was a very good workshop, the presenters were very informative and they stated all the rules clearly and explained it in a way which we could understand fully. Normally you see JADCO advertising on television or issuing brochures, but not many people take the time to read the brochures, so I think the workshop was a good idea.”
Athlete representing the Jamaica Amateur Bodybuilding and Fitness Association (JABBFA), Malene Carr-Mullings said, “I think the workshop was very detailed and informative. I believe it provided the framework for us to understand exactly what is required of us as athletes. It enabled us to understand the procedures, our rights and made us aware of the substances that are included on the Prohibited List. It was definitely beneficial for me.”
Head Coach at Cameron Blazers Track and Field Club, Bertland Cameron, said “It was a very informative workshop and it taught us a lot of things that we thought that we already knew, that we are really unaware of. It is easy for athletes, coaches and even managers to get information at this workshop, instead of assuming that we know everything. Sometimes it is the simple things that we believe are ok that are not. Coming to this seminar teaches you that you have to be more careful and you should never take things for granted.” He further added, “When people tell you to use this and that, don’t just try it. Education is the key and once you educate yourself you will be on the right side of the sport.”
General Secretary of the Jamaica Badminton Association, Antonio Bell said, “I think the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission had a very good workshop today. I think the information gathered here augured well not just for our badminton athletes, but for athletes in general as it informed them of not only what happens locally, but also what occurs on the international scene. If all the sports work together with JADCO, it will help the athletes in the long run. I think workshops such as these help to demystify the role of JADCO in anti-doping.”
Secretary of the Jamaica Association of Sports Medicine Audrey Brown said, “This workshop was well needed because athletes tend to fear the doping control process and when you have these seminars it assists to alleviate some of their fears. The quiz showed that the athletes were more knowledgeable than the athlete support personnel and we need the athletes to have all the answers and to be in a position to share the information with others.”
Participants at the event included senior athletes and their support personnel such as members of sporting associations and federations, tertiary institutions, coaches and sport administrators.
The workshop included a quiz, presentations on the functions and responsibilities of JADCO and the doping control process. Dr. Jodi-Ann Smith, a representative of the Jamaica Medical Doctors’ Association (JMDA), also delivered a presentation on the health consequences of doping. After the workshop, a whereabouts help desk was set up to assist athletes in JADCO’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP) to file their whereabouts information.
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