Jamaica lost its way on doping according to WADA Chief
Head of the World Anti-Doping Agency John Fahey says Jamaica has “lost its way” on drug testing for athletes.
It comes after the country’s most senior drug tester Dr. Paul Wright said recent failed tests might be the “tip of an iceberg”.
Wada officials are due to discuss their visit to Jamaica at an executive board meeting in Johannesburg, South Africa on Tuesday and could make a series of recommendations to improve the Caribbean island’s anti-doping policies.
Fahey speaking at the WADA congress says doping scandals in Jamaica and Kenya have highlighted the need for the agency to be given greater powers to investigate.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We do need a greater power to undertake an investigation when we see there are potential difficulties in both Jamaica and Kenya.
“There is no power whatsoever for WADA under our code to comply anyone to do certain things and there are sanctions that can ultimately be imposed by those who control sport, that is not WADA.
“With the code review there is a likelihood by the end of this week for there to be a much better emphasis on investigation and a capacity where investigations are not conducted by countries like Kenya for WADA to instigate the investigation themselves.”
The IOC can bar countries who do not comply with the anti-doping code from the Olympics, but WADA has been frustrated with both Jamaica and Kenya – two of the most successful countries in terms of athletics – in dealing with the problems.
Fahey said in relation to Jamaica: “We have a responsibility to ensure that they have an effective doping programme.
“We had concerns that they had lost their way. We indicated we wanted to come and we did that to assist them.
“We have been aware of difficulties in Jamaica for some time: we have gone to them, we’ve assisted them, we have given them some support.
“We have indicated they need to make some improvements.”
Fahey pointed out that Kenya still has no anti-doping organisation.
He added: “We are very, very disappointed in the attitude the Kenyans have adopted over the past year… and if there is a proper independent investigation do something about the results of that. If there are no difficulties then I think the world would like to know about that.
“This is a voluntary process. If Kenya does not wish to increase its activity in anti-doping then there is not a lot that can be done about that, there cannot be compulsion.
“In due course that [IOC action] can be an option with non-compliance but that is a matter I won’t comment on, that is a matter for the IOC.”
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