Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

ASADA says confidentiality vital to anti-doping process

ASADA says confidentiality vital to anti-doping process
July 30, 2019

In a move to clarify the processes in the wake of swimmer Shayna Jack’s recent positive drugs test, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) has advised that legally-binding confidentiality agreements are vital to its doping investigations.

The positive test by Jack prior to the recent Swimming World Championships was not immediately publicly revealed, with Swimming Australia saying it could not detail the information.

Swimming Australia Chief Executive Leigh Russell advised yesterday that the body had to wait until Jack or ASADA released details of the positive test.

Speaking to the Nine Network yesterday, Russell advised “it would have been so much easier for us at Swimming Australia to be transparent about the adverse test finding as soon as we were notified.

“Certainly that would have been an incredibly easier proposition for us than perhaps waiting for Shayna or ASADA to release information.”

Later on Monday, ASADA released a statement about its processes, stressing it should not be attributed specifically to the Jack case. ASADA said it had, since 2006, entered into legally-binding confidentiality undertakings with sporting organisations which restrict what the organisations could say.

The statement advised “this is, and always has been, ASADA’s standard practice.

“One of the reasons as to why ASADA has these agreements is to protect the integrity of our investigations.”

ASADA said it was one of a few anti-doping organisations globally with investigation powers under legislation, noting “it is ASADA’s standard practice to conduct a thorough investigation in relation to all allegations of doping in Australian sport, including when an athlete returns a ‘positive’ test result.

“This enables ASADA to assess the veracity of an athlete’s claims and determine whether other athletes or support persons are involved in a broader anti-doping issue, as well as taking into account the rights and welfare of the athlete. More importantly, our investigations enable ASADA to target facilitators who may be preying on Australian sport and our athletes.”

ASADA said it assessed whether to go public with information on a case-by-case basis, adding “often it is not in ASADA’s interests for our investigation to be public in the early phase of our processes.

“In simple terms, what would a facilitator of doping do if they were to become aware of ASADA’s investigation? From our experience, evidence could be destroyed, or our investigation frustrated by the fact that it was subject to public commentary.”

ASADA said it could “never restrict an athlete’s right to discuss or talk about their case”.

Jack, who faces a ban that looks set to end her participation in the Tokyo Olympics, says she will fight to clear her name.

It was also revealed that Jack had last year promoted a sports nutrition supplement, although there is no suggestion that the product was related to her positive test.

Swim school operator Kingswim, for whom Jack had been an ambassador, has removed all references to her from its website.

Images: Shayna Jack (top, courtesy of Instagram) and promoting the Extremo Sports Nutrition product in 2018 (below, courtesy of Instagram).

Related Articles

29th July 2019 - Swimming Australia scrutinised over handling of Shayna Jack doping result

24th July 2019 - Athlete rights crucial to sporting integrity

23rd July 2019 - Mack Horton and Swimming Australia face official rebuke over ‘drug cheat’ protest

22nd August 2018 - ASADA Chief Executive David Sharpe says integrity reforms can end doping conflicts

28th March 2018 - Swimming Australia appoints Leigh Russell as new Chief Executive

18th July 2016 - FINA partners with national anti-doping organisations ahead of the 2016 Rio Olympics

2nd December 2015 - ACT organisations back Royal Life Saving ACT for inaugural Canberra ‘A Day At The Lake’ event

9th May 2014 - New ASADA chief issues warning to potential cheats


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

ProSlide Technology

ProSlide is the global leader in water ride design and manufacturing, supplying high-performance water attractions to new and expanding water parks around the world. For over three decades, ProSlide…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Waterparks

 
 

Otium Planning Group

Otium Planning Group is a contemporary sport and leisure consultancy providing services in planning, facility development, management and funding for the sport, recreation and leisure industries…

read more

Aquatics / Consultants / Recreation / Sport / Venues

 
 

Hydrocare Pool Services

Hydrocare Pool Services Pty Ltd offer 30 years of experience in aquatic industry features, products and water treatment. Hydrocare Pools has undertaken water treatment for aquatic centres and…

read more

Aquatics / Attractions / Play / Recreation / Technology

 
 

PerfectGym

Perfect Gym Solutions is a software as a service (SaaS) solution purpose-built to service the fitness industry, with over 1000 clients servicing over two million gym members across 40 countries making…

read more

Access / Fitness / Marketing / Recreation / Technology

 
 

Enta Australasia

As of the 1st July 2018, Enta Australasia Pty Ltd/Best Union has been rebranded as VIVATICKET Pty Ltd.  Click here to view the VIVATICKET Pty Ltd listing.  19th July 2018 - ENTA…

read more

Technology / Ticketing / Venues

 
 

DAE Global

DAE Global is one of the world’s leading international creative and production practitioners, creating award-winning sport, culture and entertainment experiences for over 30 years.  It was…

read more

Culture / Entertainment / Events / Venues

 
 

Pico Play

Pico Play is a global leader in the planning, design, development and construction of world-class themed attractions and entertainment that deliver extraordinary and memorable experiences to millions…

read more

Attractions / Consultants / Design / Recreation / Tourism

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business