To do this they will recruit and train a team of doping control personnel, many of whom will have experience from London 2012, and will test across the 17 sports on the Commonwealth programme. 

Volunteer chaperones, recruited by Glasgow 2014, will be deployed across the venues to assist in the doping control process, contributing to a total of 400 doping control personnel.

The eyes of the Commonwealth will be on Glasgow next year...ensuring strict anti-doping measures is therefore vital ©AFP/Getty Images



With several countries with questionable recent doping records competing in the Games it is indeed imperative that Glasgow does take the appropriate measures to combat the potential problem.

The World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) paid an "extraordinary audit" to Jamaica earlier this year after a series of controversies including failed tests by sprinters including former 100 metres world record Asafa Powell, and triple Olympic gold medallist Veronica Campbell-Brown.

Kenya have been another country to receive criticism from WADA and announced pans for a new blood centre earlier this month to help combat the problem, while Delhi 2010 hosts India has been another country who has recorded multiple positive test results in recent years. 

The CGF has insisted that they have "always operated state-of-the-art anti-doping practices at previous Games and has supported WADAs efforts to eliminate doping from sport."

The CGF Anti-Doping Standard will be used as the basis for the Doping Control programme at Glasgow 2014, with its Medical Commission, led by Malaysian chairman Dr. M Jegathesan, the final authority on doping related issues.

They will supervise the services of UKAD, authorise the selection of athletes, supervise sample collection procedures and review adverse and unusual analytical findings and other anti-doping rule violations.

As defined in the CGF Code, "intelligent testing" will be central to the programme and the CGF, together with WADA, will work closely with National Anti Doping Organisations (NADO) and International Federations (IF's) to share information on their anti-doping activities during the months preceding the Games so that the resources can be utilised for targeted and enhanced programmes.

Asafa Powell, pictured competing at the Melbourne 2006 Games, has been one Commonwealth athlete to fail a drugs test in 2013 ©Getty Images


"Doping is cheating, it's as simple as that, and it doesn't just threaten the integrity of sport, it puts athletes' lives at risk," said Jegathesan.

"The Commonwealth Games are founded on the spirit of fair play, and I am determined that the CGF Medical Commission will work with our partners at UK Anti-Doping and Glasgow 2014 in a coordinated manner so that all athletes can compete knowing we're doing everything we can to ensure a clean Games."

Philip Bunt, UKAD director of business services, promised they would do a good job.

"UKAD has the knowledge and experience to provide the latest anti-doping techniques at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games," he said.

"Protecting clean athletes and the integrity of major events in the UK is our core business."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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