Caribbean RADO Newsletter

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inTouch November 2011

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t is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to this online version of RADO inTouch which presents a glimpse into the operations and activities of the Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization which is based in Barbados and housed at the Barbados Olympic Association (BOA). Since assuming office as Regional Administrator in October 2010, I have been busy interacting with our 14 member countries, their respective Board Members, with staff at World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), Caribbean Governments, National Olympic Committees, accredited laboratories, and with national, regional and international sporting organizations, all in an effort to give full effect to the RADO’s mandate. The vision of the RADO is to foster and promote doping-free sport in the Caribbean. Its mission is to promote and coordinate the fight against doping in sport in all its forms in the Caribbean and specifically among the 14-member countries. Thanks to the unswerving and steadfast efforts of Chairman, Dr. Adrian Lorde and former Administrator, Neil Murrell, the organization has grown

Inside This Issue

incrementally and is considered to be one of the strongest RADOs globally in terms of its capacity to respond to requests for doping control, delivery of education, and ability to cater to the varying needs of its member countries. One of the top secrets of the RADO’s operation is its Doping Control Officers or DCOs as they are familiarly called. DCOs must be well-trained and certified to execute their doping control functions with the highest level of professionalism and integrity by “documenting what they do and doing what they document”. The anti-doping family is a small yet tightly knit unit that functions efficiently and effectively to eradicate drug use from sport. I welcome you to this edition of RADO inTouch and hope that you enjoy this publication as much as I have enjoyed producing it for you. Photos above from left: Mr. Neil Murrell, Mrs. Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, and Dr. Adrian Lorde.

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Our Chairman Speaks

Respect from DCOs

From Cayman and Suriname

Important partnership


RADO inTouch

2010-2011

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he Caribbean RADO has continued to be one of the leading RADOs in the world. With our cadre of 52 Doping Control Officers in our 14 member countries, we continue to make strides. It has been over one year since our Regional Administrator, Mrs Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, joined us. (OCASPE) meeting held in St. VinShe has added the feminine touch cent and the Grenadines. We have produced many brochures and other educational material for the region. With WADA’s permission, several were co-branded with the Caribbean RADO’s logo and telephone number. This period saw the RADO being contracted by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to conduct in to our operations with a number and out-of-competition tests in of new initiatives. Determined and the region. This was a great experiwell organised, she was successful ence for our RADO trained Doping in getting all 14 of our RADO Board Control Officers. They were also members to attend our board utilized doing WADA-supported meeting in Paramaribo, Suriname out-of-competition tests in their in February this year, in addition countries. to having each country nominate A major highlight was the introone member each for the Results duction of anti-doping education Management and Therapeutic Use and testing at the University of the Exemption workshops. Most of West Indies’ Games held in Barbaour members now have their anti- dos. This was a landmark achievedoping rules in place, conduct edu- ment as it was the first time that cational sessions and out-of com- such testing was held in the varipetition testing, compliant with ous sports by Caribbean university WADA. students. Needless to say, all reMrs Chaderton-Shaw has visit- sults were negative. ed most of the RADO countries The Caribbean RADO however and interfaced with their Sports faces a crossroad as funding for its Ministers and National Olympic continual role is now being negotiCommittees. Press interviews have ated. I am hopeful that something been held in some countries. She positive will occur as the Governalso presented at the Organization ment of Barbados seeks funds to of Caribbean Administrators of continue the hosting of the RADO Sports and Physical Education office there. The meeting with the

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Minister of Sport, the Hon. Stephen Lashley, and WADA’s Director General, Dave Howman, and Director, Education and Program Development, Rob Koehler in September served to highlight the importance and commitment shown by WADA to the Caribbean RADO. The Caribbean RADO has been able to create an increased awareness of anti-doping in the region. The RADO now needs to go forward as our Results Management and Therapeutic Use Exemption Committees continue the work started in Paramaribo. I am pleased with the majority of the countries who have been promoting clean, drug-free sport but there are a few who have been lethargic. The future, once funding is in place, looks bright for the RADO. Let us all continue to play our part, as we play true. Board Members: Front Row (l to r): Shanwell Gardiner (Turks & Caicos), Dr. Adrian Lorde (RADO Chair, Barbados), Laurina Vidal (Dominica), Dr. Perry DeFreitas (St. Vincent & the Grenadines), Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, Maria Jose Pesce (WADA), Tyrone Marcus (Trinidad & Tobago), Tom May (WADA), Jermaine Wade (Montserrat). Back row: (l to r): Alfred King (Guyana), Donald McLean (Cayman Islands), Dr. Kenneth Louisy (St. Lucia), Dr. Sonia Johnson (Grenada), Clifton Keenswijk (Suriname), Leroy Greene (St. Kitts & Nevis), Dr. Philmore Benjamin (Antigua & Barbuda), David Morley (The Bahamas).


RADO inTouch

2010-2011

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oping Control Officers, or DCOs as they are familiarly called, play extremely important roles in terms of executing doping control missions with utmost professionalism, calm and dignity. The Caribbean RADO is proud of the fact that it has 52 trained DCOs who represent a wide crosssection of Caribbean society. Some work in the sports arena, others are lab technicians, pharmacists, para-medical staff, coaches and medical doctors. They can

be called upon to provide doping control in and out-of-competition in any Caribbean RADO member territory or beyond.

Regional Administrator’s Visits

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t is said that “seeing is believing,” and with this in mind, it made a world of a difference to visit some of our member countries. These included: Suriname, Dominica, St. Kitts & Nevis,

At times, they have to spend long hours at sample collection sites ensuring that the doping control process is meticulously conducted. Every situation is different and every mission is different depending on the number of athletes to be tested, the sport involved and whether it is in or outof-competition. A DCO is guided by a Code of Conduct and must treat each athlete with respect. Prior to obtaining accreditation, DCOs must successfully complete the RADO’s DCO Training Workshop which contains both theoretical and practical components; successfully complete one (1) on-site sample under the observation of a qualified Doping Control Officer. All qualified DCOs must sign a RADO-DCO agreement and must carry their ID badges when conducting missions.

DCOs RADO’S Best Kept Secret Globally, DCOs act as vital resources in the anti-doping arena and carry out their work quietly and discreetly. They play a significant role as “watchdogs” ensuring that athletes play clean and fair and remain true to their chosen sport. Any athlete who cheats is a liability to his country, to his sport, to his team and ultimately denigrates himself. Additionally, any athlete selected for doping control should proudly accept this scrutiny and submit himself graciously to the process. The message is: Play True. Play Fair.

Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, Guyana, Cayman Islands and the Turks & Caicos Islands. Having gained this regional perspective, it is quite clear that RADO member countries unMrs. Tessa Chaderton-Shaw talking with children at the Clifton derstand the tenets of Hunter High School in the Cayman Islands. the World Anti-Doping Code, yet despite limited certed efforts to main- als. Ministers of Sports funding and human re- tain compliance and to across the region as well sources, are making con- live up to the Code’s ide(Continued on page 4)

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RADO inTouch

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n October 2010, Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, former Manager of Barbados’ National Council on Substance Abuse (NCSA), assumed the reins at the RADO from her predecessor, Neil Murrell. The ever affable, courteous and professional Neil was the RADO Administrator for 3 years through funding from the Commonwealth Secretariat and WADA. Given the cessation of that funding, Neil returned to his substantive position as Deputy Director at the National Sports Council in January 2010. He remains disposed to assisting the RADO in any way possible and is very much involved in activities both at the RADO and at the National Anti-Doping Commission, where he is Secretary to the Board. He continues to be of tremendous assistance and support to the current Administrator and is a valuable asset to the anti-doping community. RADO inTouch Is published by: The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization Barbados Olympic Centre Garfield Sobers Complex Wildey, St. Michael, Barbados Tel. (246) 429-1998 Cell: (246) 836-2715 Fax: (246) 426-1998/271-0544 Email: caribrado@caribsurf.com Website: www.caribbeanrado.com

Editor: Mrs. Tessa Chaderton-Shaw Design & Layout E. Deighton Mottley edeightonmottley@gmail.com

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2010-2011

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irector-General of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), David Howman and Rob Koehler, Director, Education and Program Development were in Barbados in early September to pay a courtesy call on the Hon. Stephen Lashley, Minister of Family, Youth, Sports and Culture. Substantive discussions were held and expressions of the Government of Barbados’ commitment to WADA and to the hosting of the Caribbean RADO’s office were made. In addition to those discussions, the WADA officials held a Press Conference at the Barbados Olympic Association’s headquarters where they were engaged in a lively debate with members of the media in relation to anti-doping generally, and to doping control specifically, where Dave Howman disclosed that “the Minister’s very happy for Barbados to continue to fight doping in sport . . . the issue that we are now talking with him about is what I would describe as the nittygritty details about money”. WADA continues to support the Caribbean RADO office describing it as “one of the most successful RADOs of the 15 that we operate.” (See photo at the bottom of page 7). (Continued from page 3)

as National Olympic Committees have underscored their commitment to antidoping and endeavour to see their athletes perform at peak levels without prohibited substances and methods. During my visits, countries Mrs. Tessa Chaderton-Shaw has the attention of were encouraged to structure the Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Family, anti-doping education which Youth & Culture in Guyana. can be delivered to primary and secondary school students, to each Board member to drive the potential athletes, and to medium process forward, to maintain the and top level athletes. DCOs and interface with their Ministries of Board members can play a pivotal Sports, to agitate and articulate role in the dissemination of this for sports organizations and fededucation. Cohesion of the effort erations to develop their antiamong stakeholders is also vitally doping rules, and to ensure that important and clarity of the mes- in competition and out-ofsage so that everyone is singing competition testing is conducted. from the same song sheet! In the final analysis, the ongoing The commitment from couneducation of the athlete, his tries that I visited was evident knowledge of the List of Prohibitand this was made clearer by the ed Substances and Methods, direct involvement and demongood guidance from his coach, strated commitment from Board medical doctor, nutritionist and members. I cannot emphasize physiotherapist go a long way in enough how important it is for ensuring that he is in peak perfor-


RADO inTouch

2010-2011

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he Cayman Islands Olympic Committee (CIOC) was proud to host its first Anti-Doping workshop along with their newly-formed Medical and AntiDoping Commission (MADC) on September 10th 2011. There was an overwhelming response with 43 participants, representing 12 National Federations (NFs), local doctors, pharmacists, athletes and members of the general public. This was a basic introductory workshop to anti-doping as this is a fairly new effort in the Cayman Islands. Guest speaker, Neil Murrell, former RADO Administrator from Barbados, presented on various topics pertaining to anti-doping. Dr. Verley Campbell, a MADC member, presented a lecture on the Prohibited List and there was a demonstration of the doping control process conducted by Mr. Carl Brown and Mr. James Myles, two Doping Control Officers of the Cayman Islands. Participants left with a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the CIOC and the NFs in the fight against doping, as well as what steps and measures will be taken in Cayman.

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he year 2011 has been an exciting year for the Suriname Anti-Doping Authority (SADA). For the first time since its establishment in 2009, SADA has its own office. Earlier this year the organization also received funding from the government to support its activities. SADA has had the privilege to host the Caribbean RADO’s annual Board meeting in February, together with workshops on Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) and Results Management (RM) after which TUE and RM committees were established. Furthermore, in March, SADA launched its first UNESCO project, an awareness campaign consisting of workshops held in 5 districts. The target group was athlete support personnel. Our department of Prevention and Education has been very active this year and has developed doping prevention material, such as flyers, posters

Two high profile elite athletes were in attendance, Cydonie Mothersill (WADA Athlete Committe member) and Ronald Forbes, who have both qualified for London 2012. Cydonie spoke on an athlete’s perspective on doping in sport and the doping control process, giving young athletes a role model to look up to. Each participant walked away with a “Say NO! to Doping” t-shirt as well as a folder with various brochures and educational materials, including a CD with 2 WADA videos and materials. Those who were unable to attend the workshop have stopped by the CIOC office to collect the information package. Workshop evaluations were collected at the closing of the workshop to gather feedback from participants to prepare for future events. and will continue to do so for the remainder of the year. SADA has also conducted doping control under the supervision of RADO certified DCO Ivette Bonapart, who has been appointed as the Coordinator of Doping Control. The test results all came back negative for prohibited substances or methods. Several other tests will be conducted before year end. A two-day DCO refresher workshop was held for our DCOs and chaperones on October 8th and 15th. It is very important to us that our DCOs and chaperones are kept up to date. A website is being built for SADA which will soon be launched. The internet is an imperative tool in this age, and will be very helpful in reaching our athletes. It is also worth mentioning that Clifton Keenswijk, SADA’s Manager, was a member of WADA’s outreach team educating athletes at the XVI Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico in October 2011. (See photo on page 7)

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RADO inTouch

2010-2011

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he Barbados Olympic Association (BOA) presents an innovative face to the sports fraternity in Barbados with the placement of a display featuring anti -doping in its foyer. Given the BOA’s hosting of the Caribbean Regional AntiDoping Organization’s (RADO) office as well as its continuing partnership, this display is testimony to the seriousness with which anti-doping, and clean, fair, drug-free sports is viewed by its Board and staff. The display was unveiled on Monday, May 16th by President of the BOA, Steve Stoute and Chairman of the RADO, Dr. Adrian Lorde, both of whom expressed their unswerving commitment to antidoping and their support of WADA, and by extension, the mandate of the RADO. The display features testing apparatus used in the doping control process such as A & B bottles and sample collection cups, encapsulated by the World Anti-Doping Agency’s Code, which is the principle document that guides the implementation of anti -doping policies and protocols for all stakeholders in sport, globally. In addition, sports are reflected by a prominent green basketball and football, and the athlete,         

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L-R: Mr. Steve Stoute, Mrs. Tessa Chaderton-Shaw, and Dr. Adrian Lorde.

through sneakers and socks. To ensure that the public has access to educational material and to the RADO office, material is easily accessible and available for distribution. The 14 member countries of the RADO are prominently displayed on a colourful map of the Caribbean. The display sends a strong message to all that “doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport” and that no effort will be spared in ensuring that the Olympic values of ethics, honesty and fair play are upheld.

Our Achievements

Redevelopment of RADO website Erection of Anti-Doping Display Stand at the Barbados Olympic Association’s entrance Conduct of in-competition and out-of-competition doping control on behalf of the ICC in Guyana, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, Dominica, Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago. Conduct of out-of-competition tests to ten (10) RADO member countries supported by WADA. Distribution of educational material to RADO member countries UNESCO-funded workshops in Suriname, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Cayman Islands, Trinidad & Tobago, Grenada Full RADO Board attendance at annual meeting held in Suriname Regional Results Management and Therapeutic Use Exemption Committees established. Four (4) RADO DCOs have been short-listed for participation in London 2012 Olympic Games.


RADO inTouch

Changes to the 2012 List Following approval by the World AntiDoping Agency's (WADA) Executive Committee on September 17, the 2012 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is now available. Noteworthy changes to the List, which will come into force on January 1, 2012, include: Formoterol added as an exception to beta-2 agonists One of the most significant changes is the removal of formoterol from Section 3 ‘Beta-2 Agonists’ of the List when taken by inhalation at therapeutic dosages. Taking into account recent research results and requests by members of the sports community, inhaled formoterol at therapeutic doses is no longer prohibited. The List prohibits the administration of all beta-2 agonists except salbutamol (maximum 1600 micrograms over 24 hours), salmeterol when taken by inhalation, and now formoterol (maximum 36 micrograms taken over 24 hours). The issue of beta-2 agonists will continue to be a focus of WADA’s research

2010-2011 activity in order to ensure that the administration of large doses or by systemic routes of these substances is prevented and prohibited, but that the appropriate care and treatment of asthmatic athletes is facilitated. Alcohol and beta-blockers At the request of the Federation Internationale des Quilleurs (FIQ), alcohol is no longer included on the List as a prohibited in-competition substance for ninepin and tenpin bowling. After a review by WADA and following discussions with stakeholders, bobsleigh and skeleton, curling, modern pentathlon, motorcycling, sailing and wrestling have also been removed from the list of sports included in the List in which beta-blockers are prohibited. Nicotine placed on monitoring program In order to detect potential patterns of abuse, nicotine has been placed on WADA’s 2012 Monitoring Program. It is not WADA’s intention to target smokers, rather to monitor the effects nicotine can have on performance when taken in oral tobacco products such as snus. Nicotine is one of several stimulants added to the Monitoring Program, along with the narcotics hydrocone

Clifton Keenswijk (3rd from left) with athletes at the 2011 PanAm Games.

and tramadol. Out-of-competition use of glucocorticosteroids has also been included. Under Article 4.5 of the World AntiDoping Code, WADA is mandated to establish a monitoring program regarding substances that are not on the List, but which the Agency wishes to monitor in order to detect potential patterns of misuse. Caribbean RADO Chairman and WADA Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) Expert Group member, Dr Adrian Lorde, welcomes the new changes. He quipped, “The changes for 2012 reduce the workload of athletes and TUE Committees with Formoterol no longer prohibited. Previously, asthmatics using Formoterol inhalers had to apply for a TUE by submitting Lung Function Tests which were costly and time consuming. With salbutamol, salmeterol and formoterol off the prohibited list in the inhaled form, this makes things easier for all stakeholders.”

L-R: Rob Koehler, David Howman and Dr. Adrian Lorde. See story on page 4.

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RADO inTouch

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n June 2008, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) introduced the “Regulations Regarding Participation in the Olympic Games” (also called “the Osaka Rule”). Part 1 of the Regulations states that “any person who has been sanctioned with a suspension of more than six months by any anti-doping organization for any violation of any anti-doping regulations may not participate, in any capacity, in the next edition of the Games of the Olympiad and of the Olympic Winter Games following the date of expiry of such suspension”.

The effect of the rule is to exclude from participation in the next edition of the Summer or Winter Olympics, any individual who by virtue of committing an anti-doping violation has been suspended for more than six months. On Thursday October 6, 2011 the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that the IOC rule was invalid and unenforceable. The reasoning of the CAS was that the Osaka Rule was more of a disciplinary sanction than an eligibility rule. Further, the rule was found to be in breach of the IOC’s own

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2010-2011 legal principles as defined in the Olympic Charter. The immediate beneficiary of the CAS ruling was La Shawn Merritt, reigning Olympic men’s 400 metres champion, whose National Olympic Committee, the USOC, successfully defended his cause. Many others are now poised to benefit from this landmark decision, including American swimmer Jessica Hardy, British sprinter Dwain Chambers and Trinidad and Tobago’s Ato Stephens, husband of Cayman Islands standout Cydonie Mothersill.

imposed on him, he will be permitted to enter and participate in all competitions absent some new reason for refusing his entry. If it were otherwise, there would be a real risk of double jeopardy.” Similarly, in a 2008 case involving UEFA, Benfica and FC Porto, the CAS arbitrators in ruling on the question of taking part in the Champions League (CL) acknowledged that “the person affected must feel that the exclusion from the CL because of particular past conduct is a penalty for said conduct.” These principles appear to have been given weight by the CAS in Basis of the Challenge The USOC held the view that the the recent Merritt ruling. Osaka Rule violated the World AnConclusion ti-Doping Code since, in its opinion, it constituted a second penalSomeone once said there would ty for an individual who has al- be no Olympics without lawyers. ready served his period of suspen- While that appears to be a genersion. On the face of it, this would ous overstatement of an attoroffend the ne bis in idem principle ney’s role in sport, for Merritt’s under which a person ought not to case the observation remains true. be punished twice for an offence Surely, between now and the arising out of the same set of opening ceremony of the Games facts. By contrast, the IOC’s sub- of the XXX Olympiad, there will be mission was that the contentious more battles, both legal and athrule impacted solely on one’s eligi- letic, as Olympic hopefuls bid for bility for the Olympics and, there- London berths. fore, was not a disciplinary sancSo far, Merritt is the fastest qualtion. ifier. A useful consideration in analysing the controversial rule is the jtm.sportslegal@hotmail.com February 5, 2002 decision of the CAS Ad hoc Division on the occa- J. Tyrone Marcus is the Senior Lesion of the Salt Lake City Winter gal Officer at the Ministry of Sport Olympics. That case involved the and Trinidad and Tobago’s repreLatvian Olympic Committee, the sentative on the Board of the CarIOC and bobsleigh athlete Sandis ibbean Regional Anti-Doping OrPrusis. The CAS Panel held the ganization (RADO). The views view that “an athlete has a legiti- expressed by Mr. Marcus are not mate expectation that, once he necessarily those of the Ministry has completed the punishment of Sport or the Caribbean RADO.


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