(ATR) The Winter Universiade is being held in Russia for the first time in the International University Sport Federation’s six-decade history and for the first time doping controls will be conducted entirely independent of the organizers.
The International University Sports Federation (FISU) and the International Testing Agency (ITA) agreed in January that the independent agency would support FISU in the implementation and delivery of the doping control program for the Krasnoyarsk 2019 Winter Universiade. The XXIX Winter Universiade opens Saturday in the Siberian city.
It also marks the first time that the ITA will provide its services to a multi-sport event.
FISU president Oleg Matytsin tells Around the Rings it is an important step and likely the organization’s direction for future anti-doping protocols.
"FISU for the first time in the history took the decision and responsibility for the doping control with the help and relations and agreement with ITA," Matytsin said during an interview in Krasnoyarsk ahead of the opening of the Games. "Normally, it is on the shoulders of the organizing committee.
"All samples will be sent to a laboratory in Austria with the help of our medical committee and the staff of ITA. I believe we will provide high standards of service.
"As always, we try to be proactive to build relations with all international federations," said Matytsin, a former Soviet Union table tennis player, who has been president of FISU since November 2015.
To ensure the health of the competitors and a level playing field, all FISU events are governed by FISU Anti-Doping Rules, which are in compliance with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code. In Krasnoyarsk, tests will be administered before and during the 12 days of competition.
"With WADA, we have built an anti-doping educational program for Universiade, so we’ve been in contact with authorities from WADA on a daily basis," Matytsin said.
"It means we are trying to build a very new way how to communicate and how to educate people. It is also a great chance for ITA because it is the first time they are providing these services to a multi-sport event."
Matytsin would not reveal exactly how many doping tests will be conducted at the Universiade, but said there will be "many."
He said cooperation with the ITA was necessary due to circumstances in Russia.
"We start organizing events five years ago and even two years ago, RUSADA was not allowed to provide these services," he said.
"We discussed with the International Olympic Committee and WADA, and we agreed to invite ITA to provide doping control here.
"By this, I’m very sure all procedures will be according to WADA regulations and I don’t see any problems here."
Under the new agreement, the ITA is providing all necessary equipment and will coordinate sample collection during Winter Universiade. Two anti-doping specialists will supervise all ant-doping procedures on site. The ITA will also train and provide 16 doping control officers in charge of administering tests, as well as sample collection personnel.
Approximately 3,000 student athletes, under the age of 25, from 58 countries will compete in 76 medal events across 11 winter sports in the Russian city from March 1 to 12.
The opening ceremony of the 2019 Winter Universiade will be take place in Krasnoyarsk’s Platinum Ice Arena on Saturday evening, March 2.
Written and reported by Brian Pinelli in Krasnoyarsk
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