IAAF president Diack blasts WADA, defends Jamaica, Kenya

Andre Lowe, Senior Staff Reporter



MONTE CARLO, Monaco:

IAAF president Lamine Diack spared no punches as he accused the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) of attacking the sport of track and field and targeting countries such as Jamaica and Kenya.



Diack, speaking to journalists in the build-up to tonight’s IAAF Awards Gala here, backed the anti-doping efforts of Jamaica and Kenya, while urging WADA to stop what he called a ‘ridiculous’ series of events.



Jamaica’s anti-doping efforts were highlighted particularly after former Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) Renee Anne Shirley noted several inadequacies at the five year-old organisation.



“I read in the newspapers and it was like a campaign against Jamaica and I think it was ridiculous,” Diack said. “They are the most tested athletes in the world.”



Diack also put to bed arguments that countries like Jamaica, who had featured in WADA’s crosshairs over doubts in the integrity of its drug-testing machinery, could be barred from competing at the Olympics in the absence of improvements.



“And so I read in the newspapers how WADA are going there and they are going to suspend (Jamaica from the Olympics), they cannot suspend anybody!” Diack said.



“It was ridiculous, this campaign. After Jamaica they went to Kenya because some doctor went there and said the Kenyan athletes are not controlled. They are the most controlled,” Diack continued. “650 or so athletes in Kenya controlled every time in and out of competition. They went there, what did they find, nothing.”



WADA, which recently sent a team to the Caribbean island to look into its anti-doping system, released a statement on November 14, stating compliance and noting that the Jamaican government will be implementing certain recommendations.



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Email: andre.lowe@gleanerjm.com