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Athletes and support personnel taking part in the IWF World Cup in Phuket (THA) gathered today in the IWF Anti-Doping Seminar, the first of its kind in 2024, but a customary initiative of our International Federation at its main events. Organised in collaboration with the ITA (International Testing Agency), IWF’s partner in all anti-doping activities, the meeting was attended by around 60 participants, who were welcomed by IWF General Secretary Antonio Urso, IWF First Vice-President Ursula Papandrea and IWF CEO Achilleas Tsogas. The Seminar was lectured by Christine Girard, from Canada, an ITA Ambassador and double Olympic medallist in weightlifting, and was also attended by a delegation of Thailand’s National Anti-Doping agency.

“It is always with mixed feelings that I have the pleasure to meet all of you. I am happy because I see there is a real desire to be informed and briefed on such an important topic, but at the same time a bit unhappy, as all the resources we are allocating to this cause could be perhaps used in other areas, such as development or training science,” confessed Antonio Urso, when addressing to the attendees of the Seminar. “The reality is that there is a real culture of change at the IWF and the very fruitful co-operation with the ITA allows us to be in a much better situation than in past years,” also considered the IWF General Secretary.

Antonio Urso, IWF General Secretary, opening the Seminar

Christine Girard then proceeded with her presentation, focused on important points such as the definition of an anti-doping rule violation, the principle of strict athlete liability when it comes to the presence of prohibited substances in their bodies, the use of medication and supplements, and the reporting procedures. “Together, we must use all the tools that are available to eradicate doping from sport. It starts by being informed and then by respecting and abiding by all the established protocols that are in place,” explained the ITA Ambassador.

Christine Girard during her presentation

Having competed at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games, respectively in Beijing (CHN) and London (GBR), Girard was given two medals (bronze and gold, respectively) from those events only in 2018, after a relocation of awards due to subsequent doping cases. “I was myself a victim of other athletes getting doped while competing. When I received my ‘correct’ medals, many years after I stopped competing, it wasn’t the same. The momentum had passed and all the privileges I could have had in 2008 or 2012 were not available any longer…”  

At the end of the seminar, it was reminded to all participants that those qualifying for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris should mandatorily follow an ADEL course on anti-doping education.

In the meantime, a booth will be available at the competition venue in Phuket (THA) during the next two days. Athletes and coaches are welcome to pass by and ask for additional information to Christine Girard and to Melody Exhenry, the IWF Anti-Doping manager.

IWF Communications

Photos by Giorgio Scala/Deepbluemedia