2013 SU Update: Successful Doping Control System promises to be Unique Experience for Kazan 2013

KAZAN – A video conference meeting was held on May 24th between representatives of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate and participants of the All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference ‘Doping in Sports: Risks, Counteraction, Prevention’.

Azat Kadyrov, 1st Deputy Director General of the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate, gave a report regarding doping control programme during the 27th Summer Universiade. The meeting was also attended by staff members of the Kazan 2013 team’s Doping Control Department.

Azat Kadyrov revealed that a doping control programme had been developed for Kazan 2013 that met the requirements for medical, doping, sanitary and epidemiological necessity. A cooperation agreement was also signed between the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate and Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA to protect athletes’ health and their fundamental right to participate in fair, doping-free competitions.

The decision was made in 2011 to attract students, interns, registrars and experts of Kazan State Medical University (a corresponding agreement was signed between the Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate and the university in February 2011) to work as doping control inspectors at Games time. It is expected that 50 doping control officers – among them representatives of RUSADA – will be responsible for conducting doping control operations. 900 urine samples and 50 blood samples will be collected during the 2013 Summer Universiade, these are the figures that have been approved by Dr. Lawrence Rink, FISU Medical Committee Chair, during his recent visit to Kazan.

36 doping control inspectors have already been trained for the 2013 Summer Universiade, they practice their skills at national and international competitions that are held in Kazan in the run up to the Games. In addition, 9 doping control officers went through training at the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA in May 2012. One of the main criteria for selection was English proficiency, which is needed to remove language barriers.

Doping control stations will be opened at each Games venue and the Universiade Village. All procedures will be carried out there according to the principles established by the FISU Medical Committee. The stations will be guarded by special security services and drug tests results will be available 48 hours after samples are collected.

Uniqueness of the Kazan 2013 team’s work experience lies in creation of a successful and efficient doping control system that implies the involvement of highly motivated and professional doping control officers, Azat Kadyrov said. These doping control inspectors will be part of the 2013 Summer Universiade Legacy that will be needed to stage other high-profile sporting events in Kazan.

(Source: Media Department of Kazan 2013 Executive Directorate)