Utilizing options could lower doping penalties

Wed, Feb 26th 2014, 12:12 PM

Athletes throughout the world, and their support teams, are experiencing growing frustration as the anti-doping forces apply tighter scrutiny. While in many instances, the intent is definitely to get an edge against the competition through illegal doping, there is a high level of innocence that has to be acknowledged.
Unfortunately, innocence carries absolutely no weight at all, because it is the athlete who is ultimately, totally, responsible for what is digested and found in his or her system through testing. There is one option available to all athletes that could eliminate problems for those who wish to compete on fair terms, but have certain allergies and other medical difficulties.
Available to all athletes, is the respective Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) body in their country or region. Application should be officially made on behalf of the athlete and permission given to use the necessary drug. Once the TUE permission is granted, the journey through competition will not end in suspension or any other penalty.
A TUE permission would not be granted unless there is a certainty the drug is for medical reasons only and not to create an unfair competitive advantage. Sadly however, often inadvertently, this process is not utilized, thus causing embarrassment and great disappointment.
Let's take the case of Nicklas Backstrom. He plays for the Washington Capitols of the National Hockey League (NHL) and is a member of the Swedish national team. He tested positive for a banned substance that was being used, it is understood, purely to help with sinusitis. It has been reported that Backstrom has been using the drug Zyrtec-D which contains pseudoephedrine, for seven years.
Apparently, he had the approval of the Swedish national team doctor. The drug pseudoephedrine is prohibited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Backstrom was pulled from Sweden's line-up for the gold medal hockey game against Canada at the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia, over the weekend.
The International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) has not released the silver medal to Backstrom, pending a final ruling from the IOC. Had Backstrom applied to the TUE committee associated with the Swedish Anti-Doping Organization, Ren Idrott-Clean Sport, he would have been safe. That is an option, no doubt, he will utilize in the future.
His case is a prime example to all athletes who have certain ailments that need legitimate treatment. Athletes of The Bahamas, be mindful of the TUE option!

(To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at sturrup1504@gmail.com)

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