The JAAA will continue its cooperation with JADCO
THE JAMAICA Athletics Administrative Association (JAAA) recognises the fact that JADCO has now attained 10 years of operation. The journey to this milestone was not an easy one. When WADA was formed in 1999, Jamaica was among the first countries to sign the Lausanne Declaration on Doping in Sports in February 1999. This agreement eventually lead to the formation of WADA.
The aim of WADA and the anti-doping movement was and remains:
• The promoting of international and national co-ordination in the fight against drugs in sport.
• Protecting the athletes right to compete in a drug-free environment.
• Protect the spirit of sport by ensuring that athletes play true.
Despite being one of the first countries to sign the declaration, Jamaica lagged behind in setting up a National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO). The basic reasons for this was:
a) Bi-partisan support. This was early in coming as both Government and Opposition supported this thrust.
b) Getting the supportive legislation in place to allow for the smooth functioning of JADCO.
This second aspect understandably took some time. During this period - 1999 to 2008 - Jamaica’s anti-doping efforts were led by the IAAF, as athletics was the main sport that was testing local athletes. This was done with the support from local doping control officials (Herb Elliott) and others from Florida who would come down to carry out, out-of-competition testing on our athletes at the request of the IAAF.
With the increase in the world fight against doping in sports and a levelling of the playing field, Jamaica’s successes on the world scene began to grow and our medal hauls increased. This led to criticisms from other NADOs in the region that Jamaica’s successes were in part due to the lack of a NADO. These criticisms were made despite the fact that statistics from the IAAF revealed conclusively that Jamaican athletes were among the most tested on the planet. In 2008 with the legislation in place, JADCO and its supporting organisations were put in place. Five years later in 2013, major changes were made to the entire leadership structure of JADCO, and partnerships were forged with international bodies (Canada). This has led to a gradual silencing of the critics.
JAAA has long recognised the importance of JADCO to the performance of our athletes and at our AGM in 2013 I said, and I quote:
“Positive dope tests have the potential to derail our entire athletic programme. With this in mind, we have to ensure that JADCO’s shortcomings will have to be rectified and their education and testing regime needs to continue as the Government has promised”.
JADCO’s operations have continued to grow and now many more sports are being tested. A robust education programme is in place. JADCO and JAAA have continued to work hand in hand with the focus on our young athletes. It is therefore no surprise that over the last few years, there has been no new adverse analytical findings (positive dope test). The JAAA will continue its cooperation with JADCO in the hope that this state of affairs will continue and no one will be able to question our successes on the track and in the field.
We are quite happy with the strides made by JADCO in its 10 years of operation and on behalf of the JAAA, I salute all who have contributed over the years to make this milestone possible.
Warren Blake (Dr)
President
Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association