JOA President defends local anti doping programme

President of the Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA), Mike Fennell, said the recent positive drugs test by a local athlete speaks to the credibility of the country’s anti-doping programme.



Recently, Dr. Adrian Lorde, president of the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation, and American Victor Conte accused Jamaica of not having an independent anti-doping organisation.



They claimed that as a result, Jamaican athletes were not being sufficiently tested.



Fennell said anyone who questioned the country’s anti-doping programme is being mischievous.



The athlete, who is still to be named by the Jamaica Olympic Federation, tested positive during the Jamaican trials last month.



Despite the omission of one name from the 53-member track and field squad, Fennell said yesterday he could not give any further details about the athlete.