Supplements are suicide

Anne Shirley,  Guest Columnist

I write in response to an article titled 'Simpson lawyer puts Wright, JADCO under scrutiny', which was published online in the Jamaica Gleaner on Thursday, February 6, 2014.

The writer, Leighton Levy, noted that Ms Simpson's lawyer questioned whether Dr Paul Wright could provide any research evidence that athletes should not take supplements.

For the record, the position of the IAAF, as stated in its Advisory Note on Supplement Use (September 5, 2013) is: "It remains the IAAF's primary position that athletes do not need to use supplements. And the strong advice is that they should not do so. Elite-level performance and results can be achieved simply through the application of a concerted, focused nutritional regime, conducive to the life of an international athlete.

"If, nevertheless, athletes decide to take supplements, they do so at their own risk, and should always ensure that they exercise extreme caution and judgement in the products that they use. Historically, and currently, many supplements have proven to contain, or to be contaminated with, substances that are prohibited under both IAAF Rules and the WADA Prohibited List."

ignorance no defence

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) position, as stated in its Dietary Supplements Q&A on its website, is: "It is WADA's position that a good diet is of utmost importance to athletes competing on the international stage. WADA is also very concerned about the number of athletes who are prepared to take supplements, with little knowledge of what real benefits they provide and whether or not they contain prohibited substances.

"In the end, taking a poorly labelled dietary supplement is not an adequate defence in a doping hearing. Athletes should be aware of the dangers of potential contamination of supplements and of the significant effect of the principle of strict liability. Under the strict liability rule, athletes are responsible for any substance that may be found in their bodies."

The WADA statement continues: "It does not matter how the substance got there. If an athlete tests positive, the result is a disqualification, and possible sanction or suspension. Ultimately, athletes are responsible for what they ingest."

Every major anti-doping organisation has issued Athlete Advisories on Dietary Supplements. For example, USADA stated in its June 16, 2011 advisory: "Athletes need to be aware that they assume the risks of adverse health outcomes and positive anti-doping tests when choosing to take supplements. Athletes are urged to take necessary steps to be informed consumers and evaluate any supplements, including: understanding all ingredients, consulting with a physician to assess whether taking a supplement is necessary, and having products tested to ensure safety. Please remember that strict liability applies at all times, and an athlete is responsible for any prohibited substance found in their system."

The message is clear and unequivocal: Athletes take supplements at their own risk, and have to face the consequences if they test positive.

R. Anne Shirley is former executive director of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and renee.shirley@yahoo.com.