The next edition of the Commonwealth Games is set for 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia and the nation has announced several anti-doping initiatives to set the stern tone early. As announced by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Agency (ASADA), new tactics are being put in place well in advance in order to tell the world that ‘Australians do not tolerate cheats, plain and simple.’
In addition to creating a new pre-Games anti-doping task force to test athletes prior to their arrival in Australia, for the first time at a Commonwealth Games doping samples taken within competition will be stored long-term for future testing. Says ASADA acting CEO Judith Lind, “The decision to tank all samples for the first time in Commonwealth Games history shows our commitment to a high-integrity games, and to the protection of clean athletes the world over.” (Reuters)
The Australian government has pledged an additional A$1.5 million for testing to ensure the event will be as drug-free as possible, while the Commonwealth Games Federation will also collaborate with local organizers and the ASADA to share intelligence with law enforcement to target and investigate possession and trafficking of banned substances.
“Athletes deserve a fair, legitimate and level playing field,” CGF President Louise Martin said in a statement. “This is why I am determined that the CGF and its Medical Commission will play a lead role in the fight against doping in sport.”
On March 8, 2016, beach volleyball was announced as the 18th sport of the Commonwealth Games. The Games will take place much like the 2014 Commonwealth Games did, minus judo, the reintroduction of basketball and the debut of women’s rugby sevens and beach volleyball.
The 2018 Commonwealth Games are slated to span April 4th through the 15th with beach volleyball starting on April 6 running until the championships on April 12.
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