Sport

Kwesi Mugisa, Staff Reporter

In an attempt to foster a better understanding of the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) rules and regulations for coaches, athletes and the general public, the University of the West Indies (UWI) will collaborate with Leeds Metropolitan University in hosting a one-day workshop at the Mona campus next month.

The seminar, which will be held on September 18 at the Physiology Lecture Theatre, will focus on making athletes aware of, among other things, new regulations, the arbitration process and take a closer look at the dangers of the supplement industry.

With Jamaica being among the top five tested nations and a handful of its athletes having returned positive tests over the past few months - which has been blamed on ignorance - the academic institution is looking to do its part as far as public education is concerned.

"We saw other universities doing it, so we got involved as it cannot be left to just the Government. They try their best, but there is a lack of resources and that can lead to a situation where outdated information is provided when you have fast-paced, new developments. So we are just looking to do our part," explained Dr Rachael Irving, research fellow, Basic Medical Sciences, UWI, Mona.

Irving, who voiced concerns that athletes may fail to reaslise things like pseudoephedrine - a common ingredient in most cold medications - is now a banned in-competition drug, explained that the seminar will also focus on longitudinal testing, which means that an athlete can be negative on all analytical tests and still be sanctioned due to an unstable blood profile.

Collaboration

"We don't know how many athletes are aware of longitudinal testing, but we also have to make them aware of the fact that these things can be caused due to a medical condition and if that is the case how it can be presented during the arbitration process," Irving explained.

The seminar, which is a collaboration between the faculties of Basic Medical Sciences and the Norman Manley Law School, will feature several guest speakers. They include Dr Susan Blackhouse, who chairs the education committee for United Kingdom (UK) Athletics' anti-doping policy; Professor Louise Sutton, a performance nutritionist; Dr David McArdle, deputy head, Faculty of Law, Stirling University, UK; and local experts Warren Blake, national track team doctor; and Jamaica Athletic Association executive, Dr Herb Elliot.