Doha: The President of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Sir Craig Reedie (pictured) has called for increased cooperation between the public authorities and sporting regulatory bodies to improve the efficacy of doping sanctions in sports.
Reedie, who is also the Vice President of International Olympic Committee (IOC), said: “If you cheat, especially at the highest level of a sport, you can inflict huge damage on that sport. Yes, sport should sanction its own people but with greater assistance from the public authorities – for example, WADA is 50 per cent sport 50 per cent public authorities.”
The British sports administrator was taking part in a debate Ethics in Sports and the criminalisation of doping offences in sport, one of the key topics of discussions at the Doha Goals Forum yesterday.
Reedie, who holds a doctorate in law, said there was a need to make doping a criminal offense besides sanctions from the sporting bodies.
“We should criminalise the import and distribution of performance-enhancing substances but we need legislation and regulation in all countries to be implemented – it’s a big ask but we need to keep asking.”
Jackie Joyner-Kersee, triple Olympic gold medal winner in heptathlon and long jump and the current director of USA Track and Field, praised the work of the IOC and WADA.
“I’m glad they have changed the message to one of protecting the clean athletes, who put in the work. Every time someone is questioned about their performance, it bothers me that nobody is stepping up to speak for the clean athlete, against the whispers that surround them.”
The panel moderator Jonathan Edwards, himself a former athlete and still the world record-holder in triple jump, brought up the example of the American sprinter Justin Gatlin, who served two bans for failing drugs tests and this year has registered some of the fastest times in 100 meter history.
Joyner-Kersee said: “I believe in second chances and I believe Justin paid his dues and served the time. But now everyone is upset because he bounced back and is doing well. It’s a no win situation.
“We need to pull all parties together and agree that if you serve your time as agreed by the rules of your governing body, and if you have paid the penalty imposed, you should be allowed to come back, to move on,” she added.The Peninsula
