Test For Drugs

Athletics coach Albert Miller has proposed that organisers of Fiji Secondary School Athletics Association national finals consider conducting drugs tests at the annual three-day Coke Games.

“We know for a fact that drugs are available along the streets, drug testing for athletes should be

something the association need to look into it,” Miller said after the 2022 Coke Games.

“This will depend on FSSAA if they can afford it,” he said..

While it is expensive, the Kubulau native indicated that it would be best to keep the Games clean.

“While it is not free, it should come from the national body.

“I think it should be on the back of our minds, because every ath­lete that goes overseas is exposed to that; they have to go through drug testing and even before we get to any of the regional games, some of the athletes are randomly tested.

“Maybe, it is something that the Coke Games organisers can look into as way forward.

“It could be a good suggestion for FSSAA to start looking into that, especially the senior athletes be- cause you can’t go down to the mi- nor because of their rights.”

Competition director Vuli Waqa said they had not carried out tests because it was an expensive under- taking.

Meanwhile, Oceania Regional Anti Doping Organisation (ORADO) relations and services manager Siniva Marsters said they had not been approached to carry out the task at the Coke Games.

ORADO advocates, promotes and coordinates the fight against doping in sport in all its forms in the Oceania region. It works to ensure doping-free sport is valued.

ORADO serves national, regional federations and the 16 countries un- der their responsibility.

“It is an expensive task; we charge US$600-$700 (FJ$1329-$1551) per athlete. We only work with national sports federations,” Marsters said.

For FSSAA to have doping tests, the application needs to be lodged by the Fiji Association Sports and National Olympic Committee.

“I would suggest that they (FS- SAA) engage us for us to carry out- reach programmes. Education first,

testing later,” she said.

“Through this, athletes would know what to expect during tests, it is also beneficial for them later when they go on national sports representation.

“We do a lot of work with rugby players because of their performance.”

Sporting authorities have banned many drugs and other substances, not just because they can give an athlete an unfair advantage but also because of the wider health risks.

Feedback: sereana.salalo@fijisun.com.fj