JADCO to kick off series of cross-island workshops

The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) will be hosting a one-day anti-doping workshop for athletes and athlete support personnel at the Jamaica Conference Centre on March 23. This will be the first of a series of four 'Cross-Island' quarterly workshops which will be delivered across the island during the year.

The workshops will be focusing on critical aspects of the anti-doping process, covering areas such as: The Doping Control Process, The WADA Anti-Doping Code, Changes to the Prohibited List of Substances and Methods, Testing, Biological Passport, and other elements that are important to the understanding and appreciation of the anti-doping process.

The cross-island workshops will feature both local and international lecturers, including Kerwin Clarke, manager of results management/legal affairs at the World Anti-Doping Agency.

According to executive director, Dr Patrece Charles-Freeman, the cross-island workshops are part of JADCO's continued efforts to take the anti-doping message to every part of the island.

Strategic workshops

"This is part of our effort to take the anti-doping message across the island to the critical stakeholders. The workshops will be delivered in strategic locations in all parishes and will ensure that sports personnel and athletes receive the vital anti-doping message. The first workshop will cover Kingston, St Andrew and St Catherine."

Over the past several years, JADCO has had a very active education programme, having delivered workshops in approximately 50 secondary schools throughout the island since 2009.

In addition, JADCO has had workshops with all the major sporting federations, all the major national teams, major league football teams, senior cricket teams among others.

Director of communication and education, Garfield Ellis, adds that the workshops will be interactive, encouraging one-on-one discussion among participants and lecturers.

"These workshops are intended to break down major elements of the anti-doping process and disseminate them in an interactive setting so that participants will get a detailed knowledge of each area.

"Not only will the workshops cater to athletes and athlete- supports personnel, but we have also invited members of the media to attend as participants. This way, we ensure that all stakeholders receive the education necessary to serve the anti-doping effort effectively," he said.

The workshops are free to all registered participants.