Jamaica making dramatic changes in drug testing for the 2016 Olympics

spent some time in Jamaica recently to check on the status of the country’s rebuilt drug-testing program, after it was discovered in 2013 that, in the six months before the 2012 Olympic Games in London, no out-of-competition drug screening was conducted on any of the country’s athletes. Jamaica has taken home 28 medals in track and field events since the 2004 Summer Games. In 2013, eight Jamaican athletes tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. The purpose of Reedie’s visit was to ensure that Jamaica is re-establishing an anti-doping program, so that potential Olympic athletes will be able to undergo the rigors of pre-Games drug tests in the months before Rio de Janiero. After its visit, the WADA and Reedie are pleased with the country’s efforts. “I have to say, nobody could be anything other than hugely impressed by the amount of work that has been done,” Reedie said. “From the WADA point of view, we are proud of what you have achieved.” As part of its improvements, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission has improved its staffing and budgets, and the country has also passed an anti-doping law. It is considering blood drug tests for the future. In other news, golf will be considered an Olympic sport in 2016 for the first time since 1904. The PGA Tour Commissioner, Tim Finchem, has announced that any player that is eligible to compete in the Olympics as of May 6, 2015, will be subject to random drug testing during these months leading up to the 2016 summer games.]]>