KINGSTON, Jamaica, CMC – A former leading anti-doping official has warned Jamaican athletes about the possibility of sabotage at the World Championships in Beijing starting Saturday.
Dr Paul Wright, once a board member of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission, said it was important athletes monitored what they ingested and reminded them to accept supplements only from those involved in Jamaica’s team management.
“The possibility of sabotage of whatever they ingest is a great possibility at a championship like this and I am sure the medical staff and the support staff at these games are going to be very careful in watching who comes in contact with our athletes and what they eat and what they ingest,” Dr Wright told the Jamaica Gleaner newspaper.
The much anticipated World Championships will get underway on Saturday at the historic Bird’s Nest Stadium, the scene of the now famed 2008 Olympics.
Then, Usain Bolt shot to global prominence by capturing both sprints while also setting new records in both events.
The 28-year-old will once again take centre stage as he seeks to defend both the 100 and 200 metres titles he captured two years ago in Moscow.
With Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce also set to defend both her sprint titles, Jamaica will once again come under the spotlight and Dr Wright reminded the team they would be the centre of attention.
“What they have to do is to be well aware they will be targeted, make sure they do not accept any supplements from anybody, other than those prescribed by the medical team involved with them at the championships and their own coaching staff,” he stressed.
Dr Wright also pointed out that guarding against drugs cheats would be one of the focal points of the games, noting that the industry had now become very complex.
“Doping has become very sophisticated and the dopers are two or three steps ahead of those involved in anti-doping.”