EDITORIAL There is a famous African proverb that says, “Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” Sometimes it is the hard knocks in life that soften our rough edges and shape us into something more refined and resilient. The year 2020 has given us some hard knocks. It has been an extraordinary year for athletes and support personnel and we have had to become accustomed to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has found many opportunities in the midst of the pandemic and we have successfully transformed the way we carry out our daily functions. Not only have we put protocols in place to continue to test athletes in a safe environment that meets international standards, but we have also transformed our education programme significantly and we are now educating athletes and support personnel virtually. We have no idea what lies ahead in the year 2021. But one thing is certain, despite the obstacles which we may face the Commission will remain committed to the fight against doping in sport, as we strive to be the premier world class anti-doping organisation.
We encourage athletes and support personnel to stay focused and resilient as you strive to achieve your goals throughout 2021 and beyond and to continue to partner with us as we work assiduously to improve the National Anti-Doping Programme. On Thursday, January 28, 2021the Commission will once again create history when we will host the seventh annual JADCO Symposium virtually. The event will be held using the Zoom meeting platform. On this occasion athlete support personnel will be given the opportunity to learn about the new World Anti-Doping Code and the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) International Standards. We look forward to your participation at this event. In this edition of the True Spirit newsletter we will tell you about JADCO’s efforts to provide Samsung tablets to student athletes and we will also provide an update on the Junior Athletes AntiDoping Education Workshops and Senior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshop, which were both held for the first time virtually during 2020. We will also share healthy eating tips for the New Year. If you have queries or wish to share your feedback on this publication, send an email to truespirit@jadco.gov.jm.
JADCO PROVIDES STUDENT ATHLETES WITH SAMSUNG TABLETS
The Hon. Olivia Grange (2nd left) Minister of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, hands over Samsung tablet devices to Shayanique Neil (2nd right), student athlete, Guy’s Hill High School. Looking on are Oswald Williams (right), Chairman and Joan Davis (left), Principal, both of Guy’s Hill High School.
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