PH anti-doping chief steps up info drive

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine National Anti Doping Organization took the opportunity on Saturday to remind athletes of all kinds to educate themselves regarding the evils of doping in sport.

“Doping control tests have been suspended, so the task now is to encourage [education],” Dr. Alejandro Pineda Jr., the Philippine anti-doping chief, said in the Philippine Sports Commission Chatroom webcast.

“The information is free,” he added. “There, you could download [materials] and harness your knowledge on [doping’s] nitty-gritty.”

According to Pineda, the information readily available through the World Anti-Doping Agency’s website could be used by “coaches, athletes whether elite, developmental or recreational, and doctors.”

Pineda’s reminder comes at a time when alarms have been raised over the possibility that the current COVID-19 pandemic will be used as a mask by dope cheats.

“As with nearly every aspect of daily life around the world, WADA and the global anti-doping system have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 global health emergency,” Wada president Witold Bańka wrote in his report presented to the International Olympic Committee’s meeting in Switzerland on Friday.

“While some parts of the world are returning to normal and restrictions are being lifted, WADA has updated its guidance and concentrated in particular on what procedures should be employed by [anti-doping organizations] and their sample collection personnel when conducting testing during this period,” added the report, which was presented during the same session that saw Mikee Cojuangco’s historic election to the Executive Board.

Pineda also stressed that athletes’ education on doping should be of paramount concern as the Philippines continues to comply with the requirements of Wada and Unesco’s International Convention against Doping in Sport.

“We have to be conscious, aware, and educated so that our behavior is in line with the rest of the sporting world,” said Pineda.