AIU tighten anti-doping rules
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday November 16, 2018 12:54
The rule puts in place an advanced framework for the fight against doping in athletics. The new rules, which come into force from January 2019, make NFs accountable for assisting in the fight against doping and for ensuring appropriate anti-doping measures are in place in their respective jurisdictions.
According to the AIU, obligations under the previous IAAF Anti-Doping Rules largely rested with individuals, while obligations of the NF’s were limited.
Under the new rules, NFs are categorised annually by the AIU Board in three different categories A, B and C, according to the factors that have been considered for determining the doping risk to the sport.
(Category A - having the highest doping risks to the sport and category C the lowest). Botswana has been placed in category B. David Howman, chairperson of the AIU said improving the integrity of athletics requires a collaborative effort from the entire industry and these new rules ensure that the NFs who send teams to represent them at international events are playing their part. Botswana Athletics Association president, Thari Mooketsi told Mmegi Sport that they had discussed the new rules with IAAF president, Sebastian Coe during his visit.
“Our concern was that, since we have a small number of athletes competing in international events, when one or two test positive to a banned substance it would seem like a huge percentage,” he said.
Mooketsi said they are aware that being in Category B dents the image of the country. He said they are working around the clock to rectify the situation. Some of the obligations for Federations in Category B are that they should assist the AIU in collecting and maintaining whereabouts information from NFs athletes selected in the IAAF Testing Pool. The BAA is expected to appoint one person as primary contact for the AIU with authority over anti-doping matters.
The association should ensure that athletes selected in the national team for IAAF World Championships and Olympic Games are adequately tested in the lead-up to the events. The federation must ensure that all individuals participating in athletics (athletes and support personnel) are bound by the IAAF Anti-Doping Rules and Regulations and are fully liable in case of any breach of these rules/regulations.
The Federations are also expected to declare all medications, drugs, therapeutic substances and supplements intended to be used for national teams at IAAF World Championships. “We spoke about our interest in being assisted with IAAF qualified coaches for field events. It was agreed that before such coaches are engaged, a background check should be done especially when it comes to Anti-Doping matters,” Mooketsi said. He said even the overseas agents and managers that are working with local athletes should be checked.