May Letter From WSF Chief Andrew Shelley
FROM HEADQUARTERS, May 3, 2012
ANTI-DOPING. The issue of doping
is always with us; and while squash
has an enviable record in this regard
we have had failures too. As you will
read further down, two players have
received bans as a result of positive
tests for so-called ‘social’ drugs.
The fact that they are not performance enhancing
but are still banned by WADA (World Anti-Doping
Agency) simply highlights the need for all member
federations, coaches and players themselves to be
fully versed on what is permitted.
Testing doesn’t only take place at events; many
countries have out of competition testing, as does
WSF. For several of the top Tour players, not only
might they be subject to testing at events, but a
number also have the onerous responsibility of
providing their whereabouts for one hour a day,
every day. They complete this on-line, most choosing
breakfast time at home or the hotel they may be at.
They have to be diligent over this, and the same
applies to all competition players.
We cannot stress highly enough that players need to
be sure/check every substance/medication that they
use. Even simple treatments such as cold remedies
can have substances in them that would cause failure
of a drugs test and so put a squash career on the
line.
National federation can give guidance, and here is a
useful site for self-checking: www.globaldro.org/
OLYMPIC GAMES. On the Olympic bid front our
efforts to secure a place continue at a fast pace. The
bid brochure has been published – presenting the
main features of the squash case in booklet form to
the Olympic movement.
Arrangements are in hand for
the production of the
presentation video that will
feature when we meet the
IOC Programme Commission
at the end of the year. This
month sees the WSF, led by
President Ramachandran, at
the SportAccord Convention
in Canada where there will be meetings with the IOC,
plus other opportunities to present our case at a
media round table and in the convention hall too.
Supporting the bid there will be World Champion Nick
Matthew and Canadian based Pakistani Maria Toor
Pakay, who will participate in the media round table
and the convention demonstration.
We have already been fortunate to receive some very
generous donations to help with the costs of
mounting a fully rounded bid, and have also received
some gifts in kind. John Roberds of Odyssey Print in
Tulsa, USA sent over a supply of Back the Bid tin
stickers; while Susan Pallikal kindly printed player bid
flashes. To them and everybody else backing the bid
in so many ways sincere thanks.
Andrew Shelley
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