WADA chief Craig Reedie to visit Jamaica

Craig Reedie

Kingston (Jamaica), Feb 18 (IANS)

World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) President Craig Reedie is due to visit Jamaica on Friday for a first-hand experience of the country's efforts to improve its drug testing programme. Reedie will spend five days on the island after receiving an invitation from Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Michael Fennell and is scheduled to meet officials of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), reports CMC.

Reedie, the first sitting WADA president to visit Jamaica, will be given an update on the status of anti-doping and the planned activities for 2015 and 2016.

"This is indeed a most welcome visit from the head of WADA. We will seize the opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to doping-free sport in Jamaica," said Fennell.

Reedie, who was elected WADA boss in November 2013, is also expected to call on Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller and Sports Minister Natalie Neita-Headley.

Jamaica has been attempting to repair its drug testing programme in recent years since a number of its athletes, including former world record holder Asafa Powell and Olympic champion Sherone Simpson tested positive for banned substances.

Among the measures taken were an increase in the government budget for drug testing, increase in the number of tests carried out as well as the hiring of senior executives to run the anti-doping programme. Earlier this month, JADCO announced that the country was on the verge of introducing blood testing of its athletes.