Lausanne, SwitzerlandThe IAAF World AntiDoping Symposium has come to a close with the conclusion of the third and final day of discussions on the modern methods for prevention of doping as well as a presentation and summary of the discussions held over the three days.
Modern methods for prevention and deterrence of doping
A large proportion of the first two days discussion were of a scientific nature and concentrated on techniques for the detection of doping, so day three provided a change of pace as participants came together to discuss the more administrative methods for prevention and deterrence.
Prof. Louise Burke, IAAF Medical & Anti-Doping Commission Member and head of Sports Nutrition at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) presented her experiences gained in the implementation of the AIS supplement programme. Participants had heard on previous days about the continued problems and risks with supplement product contamination, however it is a fact that many athletes still rely heavily on the use of these products. Prof. Burke presented one method of reducing the risks for the athletes through a programme aimed at increased education, monitoring of athlete supplement usage (products such as sports bars, and sports drinks), and the gradual movement of these athletes towards reliance on diet rather than supplement products. The programme also highlights supplements which scholarship athletes are not permitted to take due to the high risk of an inadvertent positive doping control test.
Dr. Patrick Laure provided advice and a model for the prevention of doping which certainly caught the attention of the audience. Dr. Laure highlighted that anti-doping organisations are focusing heavily on the repression of doping behaviour through drug testing, sanctions and legal avenues. He however challenged the audience that in order to change the behaviour and attitudes, particularly of the younger athletes, doping authorities must look at the broader issues encountered in daily life. He said young athletes must be taught critical thinking skills and carefully supported in their personal development which will ensure they are able to make the correct decision on subjects such as doping.
Mr Joseph de Pencier, Director of the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport spoke about the Canadian experience in combing education programmes with a small level of testing to produce a deterrent effect amongst young athletes. Direct examples were provided from the Canadian experience how IAAF Member Federations or other Anti-Doping Organisations could make the most of smaller budgets or limited testing abilities, while still maintaining a significant deterrent effect.
Finally, Mr. Jim Ferstle, A freelance journalist with over 20 years experience covering Olympic and anti-doping issues spoke about both the importance of education, and the role of the media in covering anti-doping issues and assisting with the communication of education messages.
With such a wide range of messages, the following round table discussion certainly involved a lively discussion focussing mainly on the issue of sports supplement and the role of the media
Conclusions and recommendations for an effective anti-doping programme.
The final two hours of the Symposium were a chance to recap the issues covered in the previous days and draw some key points and topics to the attention of the audience. IAAF Council Member Mrs. Abby Hoffman, an ardent supporter of the IAAF anti-doping fight managed to clearly show these details and mentioned that the book of proceedings will be an important reference tool for all anti-doping organisations.
Mrs. Hoffman highlighted issues such as maintaining transparency in the IAAF anti-doping programme and indeed the Symposium was fully open to members of the media who it is hoped gained a great deal from the information presented. Mrs. Hoffman spoke on the importance that the IAAF testing programme continues to concentrate more on the quality testing not just quantity which is indeed already happening. International cooperation between anti-doping stakeholders is vital and must occur for the doping fight to be effective. She also spoke on the recommendations for the future direction of the programme including further discussion of the “no start rule” concerning pre-competition blood testing and eventually moving towards prosecuting doping cases on the basis of individual steroid and blood profiles rather than the reliance on thresholds set by the public norm.
Throughout the Symposium it was continually highlighted that athletes must be fully involved and consulted in any discussions on anti-doping issues. It was only fitting then that many members of the IAAF Athletes were present on the final day and that two members of the Commission were able to highlight to the world the commitment they have to the anti-doping fight, and the disdain they feel for any athlete who tries to deliberately cheat through the use of a prohibited substance or method.
Stephane Diagana, former World Champion and WADA / IAAF athlete Commission member, provided an alternative option for the deterrence of doping. He re-affirmed the athletes 100% commitment to doping free sport and spoke on the option to include financial penalties as part of the sanctioning process. Mr. Diagana pointed out that if greed for money forms part of the reason an athlete cheats, then equally financial penalties and the option for the IAAF or fellow athletes to claim back money earned dishonestly would increase deterrence. Certainly any financial penalties on an athletes or federations could be used to further fund the anti-doping programme of the IAAF or other Anti-Doping Organisations.
The final athlete to speak was Debbie Ferguson a medallist at the last three Olympic Games. She spoke with a composure and passion that left all participants in the auditorium in no doubt of the commitment that IAAF athletes display to compete drug free. She highlighted the difficulties that athletes find in the current anti-doping programme including trying to comply with strict IAAF athlete whereabouts programme, but provided suggestions for improvement that might be considered. She finished by assuring the audience that she and her fellow Athlete Commission Members were proud to compete drug free and looking forward in any way to helping the anti-doping work of the IAAF.
Prof Arne Ljungqvist, IAAF Senior Vice President then took the floor to provide a look at the future IAAF anti-doping fight and closing comments, thanking the tremendous participation of all who were present. He affirmed that it was vital that all attendees must now take this information learnt over the last weekend, apply it to their own anti-doping programmes. He assured them that the IAAF will work in collaboration with them and all international stakeholders in continually striving to implement the most effective anti-doping programme in the sport of Athletics – certainly this symposium has provided the platform and reference point on which this work can be based.