Doha: Anti-doping chief David Howman insists that athletes will no longer be solely responsible for failed dope tests but that the ‘entourage’ behind sportsmen and women would be held accountable too.
Howman, World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) Director General has pledged to crack down on doping violations by coaches, and other support staff.
Howman said besides athletes, there was a greater need to bring more poeple under the sanctioning laws of WADA.
“People around the athletes – entourage - are also to be sanctioned when the athlete is found to be at fault, mainly the doctors, the lawyers, coaches. They are the people who sway the athletes to cheat. We all remain what we like to be, 18, 19, 21-year-olds, may be innocent. They are the people who are more to be blamed than the athletes,” said Howman, while speaking on the first day of the two-day symposium organised by Anti-doping Lab Qatar.
Howman is one of the several top officials who are attending the meet in Doha.
Earlier, Dr Abdulrahman bin Thani Al Kuwari, Secretary-General of the Qatar Olympic Committee said Qatar is well aware of the utmost importance to support anti-doping efforts in sport for events all over the world.
“Doping has become a source of worries for all countries used to organising sport events. As one of these hosts, we put the stress on the necessity of strengthening means of fighting doping in sport,” said Dr Al Kuwari, while delivering the opening address at the symposium.
“Your presence with us here for the symposium as institutions and representatives of WADA, reinforces our motivation towards implementing the agreement approved by world governments in fighting doping activities. This agreement represents an important step in our fight, considering that only governments have the necessary means and resources for the achievement of our objectives,” he added.
Dr Al Kuwari said Qatar has launched several programmes towards fighting the use of doping substances in sport on the local, regional and international levels.
“Qatar Anti-Doping Committee implements many programs under the auspices of the Qatar Olympic Committee.”
“I wish all the success for in the efforts towards achieving scientific results which will strengthen our capabilities to deal with cheating practices relating to the use of doping substances.”
The Peninsula
