JAAA to stick with JADCO for National Trials
Published:Sunday | June 5, 2022 | 12:15 AMDaniel Wheeler - Staff Reporter
JAMAICA ATHLETICS Administrative Association (JAAA) president Garth Gayle says that they have no intention of deviating from the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) for drug testing for the upcoming National Senior and Junior Trials.
His comments come as World Athletics, track and field’s governing body, did not ratify Jamaica’s 42.58-second clocking at the Carifta Games in April as World Under-20 100m champion Tina Clayton, who was on the team that included Serena Cole, Tia Clayton and Brianna Lyston, was not tested after the race. The time would have meant a new world record.
Sports Minister Olivia Grange is scheduled to address the matter on Tuesday in Parliament after meeting with JADCO chairman Alexander Williams. Williams apologised on Thursday for not fulfilling the directive of the JAAA regarding testing.
“The JAAA, as the national governing body of athletics, respects JADCO as the national anti-doping agency and so there is no way that the JAAA will be looking to any external agencies over JADCO,” Gayle told The Sunday Gleaner.
“What would have happened before, we are resolving that. We will be working and must work with JADCO.”
While the testing failure has put JADCO under scrutiny, Gayle said his organisation remained committed to ensuring it remains in complete compliance with all required testing protocols.
“We will work with them, along with the medical commission, [so] that we comply with the World Anti-Doping Agency, World Athletics and all other relevant agencies. One error does not mean that we close the door on them,” Gayle said.
However, former JADCO executive director Renee Ann Shirley says that outside help should be sought for JADCO because the incident has created a crisis in confidence in their abilities, which has far-reaching implications.
“Even if you didn’t know and it’s quite possible they didn’t know, they empowered people who carried out these actions to the detriment of track and field and also to the nation of Jamaica,” Shirley said.
SOMETHING WENT WRONG
“In the checks and balances, something went wrong in the system. If I am from any other country, do you think I would want JADCO to be doing the testing for me?”
Shirley said that assistance could be sought from the International Testing Agency for the trials, whether to do the testing, or to oversee JADCO for the championships. However, she is adamant that serious action be taken, which includes replacing the current JADCO executive.
“At this stage, you want to be seen as proactive and, for me, I want to see the Government of Jamaica take the initiative. Let us not waste time. Go ahead, take the hard decision, get a new team in there and get assistance from abroad for your National Trials and going forward,” Shirley said.
The National Senior Trials are scheduled for June 23-26.