Dear Editor,

Ms Anne Shirley continues to disclose the weaknesses of the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCo), which she formerly headed. There has been much discussion in the media regarding these disclosures, some questioning her loyalty. One writer even suggested that she be regarded as a traitor and, based on the tone of his letter, were he to have had his way, would have had her sent to the tower!

I am now fully convinced that those who have sought to condemn and vilify her are simply shooting the messenger without fully understanding and appreciating her message. I, therefore, wish to publicly, late as it may be, laud Ms Shirley for her courage in continuing to make us aware of the shortcomings of JADCo, and to thank her for her obvious love for the preservation of integrity in Jamaican sports.

I am delighted that Ms Shirley was wise enough not to have allowed herself to be subjected to undue influence in signing, upon her departure from JADCo, any release and discharge agreement (the new and more polite term for a gag order) that would have prevented her from making her disclosures.

Colonel Allan Douglas

alldouglas@aol.com