January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Drug cheats to be named
Bermuda will be taking a harsher line in the war against drugs in sports as it strives to meet international standards.
Besides the naming of drug cheats, national governing bodies could have their funding stripped and even be disbanded by government if they do not meet the standard set by the World Anti-Doping Association.
Bermuda could also lose international sporting events like the PGA Grand Slam of Golf or International Race Weekend if all sporting bodies don't fall in line to comply to the new tough international regulations.
This harsher reality will be in place as of January 1, 2009.
Bermuda Cricket Board president Reggie Pearman said: "If it comes down to do we sacrifice a few names or do we sacrifice the whole country because we're not compliant? That's the question we have to ask."
Bermuda's Council for Drug-Free Sport programme manager, Cathy Belvedere said: "things have changed."
She said that WADA will require that anyone who fails a performance enhanced test - i.e. anyone who takes a drug test as part of a national team - to be publicly named and shamed.
"They're hoping that this will serve as a deterrent in getting this information out for public consumption," Belvedere added.
But it goes beyond just failing the test - anyone who fails to show up for a test or is determined to have used a masking agent in their urine sample will also be named.
The programme manager said the name and shame policy would not apply to those athletes who are randomly tested for the domestic leagues.
Every athlete who is a part of a national programme will be required to let the BCDS know where they are 24/7. If they leave the country on holiday or are away on a training camp, they will be required to provide contact numbers.
All national governing bodies will be forced to comply by gathering the contact information for the BCDS. Those that don't could see their funding taken away by government, which is a big incentive if you're cricket and football and are getting $15 or $13 million grants.
Government will also have the right to strip any sporting group of being the official organization in Bermuda.
The reason being that if one sport isn't compliant in Bermuda, then all groups have to pay the penalty of being sanctioned internationally.
If Bermuda aren't completely compliant by 2010, then Bermuda would lose the right to host any internationally sanctioned event whether it be a squash tournament, football match, golf event or lacrosse game.
Pearman said: "If you follow the rules, then you can still participate in sport. If they have to be named, then they have to be named.
"It's obvious that it will have a detrimental effect when national teams go to travel. I hope it will help guys clean up their act, but this is Bermuda. Those that don't want to attend, and those who don't say 'I'll just pack it in.'"[[In-content Ad]]
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