Athletes Commission to educate athletes on anti-doping principles

Staff ReporterThe Namibia Athletes Commission will host a workshop next Saturday, 14 November 2020, to educate athletes on recent anti-doping regulations and procedures. Athletes aspiring to compete at national, but particularly international level, from different sports such as those represented at Olympic and Commonwealth levels, are advised to attend as this is vital to prepare them for testing procedures during international competitions. The event aims to familiarise athletes from all kinds of sports with clean sport messages. The objective is to outline current accurate and practical information to help protect clean sport and ensure compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code, providing athletes with the information they need to abide by anti-doping rules and regulations. Speaking at the media conference, the chairperson of the Athletes Commission, Gaby Ahrens, said athletes must understand which substances are on the prohibited list, as they responsible for ensuring that the substances they put in their body are clean. “A normal painkiller could put an athlete at risk if they are not aware of what chemicals are in them,” Ahrens said. The workshop will inform and educate athletes on the medical substances that are on the prohibited list, where to find credible and correct information, how to stay on top of the latest rules and regulations, and which tools are available for athletes to assist. It will also cover what athletes should expect when they get tested. Former Olympian and chairperson of the Education Commission of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA), Kady Kanoute, will be in Namibia to inform athletes of the current world anti-doping codes. Under her leadership, the Education Committee provides expert advice, recommendations and guidance to WADA’s management with respect to short-term education strategies, activities and long-term approaches to WADA’s education programmes. Other workshop facilitators, including Namibia’s doping control officer Jason Snyders, will educate participants on the dangers, side-effects and testing procedures for different substances. Jason is the leading national doping control officer (DCO) in Namibia, testing athletes at national competitions under the auspices of the NNOC. Jason was trained by WADA and is on the frontline of clean sport in Namibia, making sure testing is in compliance with the required testing control procedure.Athletes Commission chairperson Gaby Ahrens will focus on the rights and obligations athletes have regarding doping, while Olympians Michelle Vorster and Helalia Johannes will share their experience and lessons learnt from anti-doping. “It is important to stay informed and know what your rights and obligations as athletes are. If you test positive it would be an embarrassment for yourself and your country. You cannot blame your coach or your doctor, you yourself have to take responsibility and stay informed,” said Helalia Johannes. Michelle Vorster added that by sharing their experiences and what it feels like to get tested, they can prepare other athletes.

Athletes Commission to educate athletes on anti-doping principles

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Athletes Commission to educate athletes on anti-doping principles

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