Caribbean RADO now has 65 trained DCOs in 15 member countries

The Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organization (RADO) convened its annual board meeting with its 15 member countries in Castries, St Lucia, from February 23 to 24.{{more}} The meeting was hosted by the St Lucia Olympic Committee (SLOC), in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports.

A release from RADO said running parallel with the board meeting was a three-day workshop attended by 30 RADO Doping Control Officers (DCOs) from February 22 to 24. The training was delivered by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) and sponsored by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). The DCOs expressed delight in being able to advance their knowledge and to become more proficient in conducting urine drug testing. DCOs perform a critical role in managing the testing of athletes around the world. The Caribbean RADO can now boast of having a cadre of 65 trained DCOs in its 15 member countries.

According to the release, emerging from the deliberations at the board meeting was the need to maintain a prominent education agenda, so that athletes and other sport stakeholders understand the value of anti-doping education and maintain clean sports. In addition, WADA will be offering support for out-of-competition testing to all RADO member countries in 2013, through a testing grant. Strengthening the relationships among anti-doping stakeholders in each country also remains a top priority.

The Caribbean RADO’s membership includes Antigua & Barbuda, Aruba, Barbados, the Bahamas, the British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and the Turks & Caicos.