WADA words recycled to good use...

WADAwatch found, and read with some interest, a recent press release issued after another CAS appellate anti–doping decision.


Remember the case of the America's Cup crew–member, from the winning Swiss yacht Alinghi? The lower decision regarding Simon Daubney (cocaine metabolites) has now been confirmed through CAS, on appeal from WADA (supported by the IF for yachting: ISAF), and thus the two year suspension stands (which began running on July 17, 2007, based on Daubney's voluntary withdrawal from yachting competitions).


Ever vigilant, we noted with some interest the text ascribed to the ISAF Press Release, issued under the name of Secretary General Jerome Pels, regarding the outcome of the case. He was quoted as stating the following:

“We are delighted with the outcome of the CAS Hearing. ISAF’s Anti-Doping Programme seeks to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about the spirit of sport; it is the essence of Olympism and how we play true. Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport.” (emphasis added by Ww)

Fine words, and always a thrill when someone is 'delighted' about another lacklustre performance by Team WADA (below)...

But? Isn't there something familiar with these well–turned phrases?

Hmmm, let's look at the WADA CODE, and its Fundamental Rationale (Which, some think, remains decidedly optional amongst WADA Signatories...), written and redrafted via Committees headed by Attorney Richard Young? Review its words:

“Anti–doping programs seek to preserve what is intrinsically valuable about sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as “the spirit of sport”; it is the essence of Olympism; it is how we play true.

(Emphasis added; (WADA CODE v3 2007 pp. 8–9 (as pdf)// p.7–8 (from Table of Contents))

Fortunately, Dick Pound is no longer 'around' to blast Secretary General Pels of the ISAF, for plagiarism (sarcasm mode OFF). When in doubt, worthy Press Officers around the World of WADA, feel free to cut–n–paste from the CODE (at least some of WADA's Signatories are capable of utilizing it...) when publishing your 'thoughts' about doping in sport.


The Daubney case never implicated the Alinghi 'team' (CODE Article 11: Consequences for Teams, includes a rational deference to the IF rules controlling whichever sport; here the ISAF). Remember: 'Team' by WADA CODE definition (both versions: 2003 and 2007) only applies to groups for which in–competition substitutions are allowed: 'football', baseball or rugby teams are concerned with Article 11; cycling, ski and yachting 'teams' are not.


However, Daubney's case did involve several irregular aspects we've come to take for granted vis–à–vis WADA–WORLD: the sailors' Samples were transported 'privately' (ie: no official courier service) from Valencia to Madrid, then they were left in the car while the two Doping Control Officers, one's son and that individual's girlfriend stopped for (expense–accounted?) lunch, then again, left in a home (ditto, for dinner), and then tested 16 days later (long after Daubney provided his urinary cupful... and Alinghi won).


BTW: at the Tour de France, the usual time lag between Doping Control and Laboratory Analysis (ostensibly 'regulated' via the International Standard(s) for Testing or Laboratories), is about 6 days.


Why so long (16 days) for the yachting crowd? Or do we know the answer?

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