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The tiny nation known for producing dominant sprinters has
not veered off course since receiving high marks from the World
Anti-Doping Agency early last year in its efforts toward beefing
up drug testing, according to JOA head Mike Fennell.
"We're satisfied that Jamaica has been carrying its
responsibility for testing and monitoring anti-doping procedures
which can be a model for many other countries," Fennell said
after Jamaica unveiled their 63-member delegation for the Aug.
5-21 Rio Olympics on Monday.
"I'm very happy to tell you that this is going on so that
Jamaica has no fear as far as the organization of anti-doping
matters is concerned."
The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission improved testing since a WADA
team visited the Caribbean nation in 2013 and carried out a
forensic audit following positive tests by Olympic and world
championship medallists Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson and
Veronica Campbell-Brown.
Since that time, only cricketers Andre Russell and Odean Brown
committed anti-doping whereabouts violations.
JADCO now has a new board after the previous one resigned in the
wake of a drug-testing crisis in 2013 and introduced blood
testing last year in its ongoing fight against drugs in sports.
Fennell also said athletes and officials headed to Rio will be
briefed to ensure the Jamaican delegation will be fully up to
speed as far as drug testing is concerned.
"The whole world of sports today has had to be dealing with
doping or anti-doping issues and Jamaica is no different," said
Fennell. "I’d like to make everyone know that from the beginning
of this year we have been in collaboration with JADCO in terms
of having a robust testing arrangement, reviewing the registered
testing pool for athletes."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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