The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) staged what its Executive Director June Spence Jarrett described as an “awesome” annual symposium on Thursday at the Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel in St Andrew under the theme ‘Empowering Clean Sport: JADCO’s Vision for Jamaica.”

Despite a late start, the symposium flowed smoothly and concluded on schedule, with participation from administrators, coaches, and athletes from various sporting associations. In attendance were Sport Minister Olivia Grange, World Athletics Coaches’ Commission member David Riley, Jamaica Athletics Administrative Association First Vice-President Ian Forbes, and senior JADCO officials.

The first session featured a presentation on Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) by JADCO TUE Committee Chairman Dr Kevin Jones. Session two focused on JADCO’s year in review, delivered by Spence Jarrett, while session three was a panel discussion involving Riley, Forbes, Jamaica Medical Doctors Association official Dr Ana-Kay Harvey, JADCO Technical Services Acting Director Yanique Dunn, the Ministry of Sport’s Principal Director of Sport Policy Development and Monitoring Suzzette Ison, and moderator Dr Donna-Marie Wynter Adams, a senior lecturer at the University of Technology, Jamaica.

Spence Jarrett was satisfied with this year’s staging.

“Our symposium is geared towards the needs of the athletes, the coaches, the associations and federations, and all our stakeholders,” she said. “And every year it gets bigger and better. Today, we had the panel discussion and it was tremendous. With the information given, all persons leaving the symposium should go back armed with valuable information. As we said, ignorance is no excuse for breaking rules and laws.”

Grange reaffirmed what she described as the Government’s unequivocal, full, and continuing support for JADCO and its mandate.

“We worked day and night and on weekends, feeding on KFC when we were finalising the anti-doping legislation so that we could go to the 2008 Olympics [in Beijing, China] and boast that we had a legislation in place,” she recalls. “Because, in those days — our athletes — [the perception was] ‘How could they run so fast? What is going on here?’ and we were probably the most tested athletes at the Games. So we have come a very long way.

“As a Government, we know and fully support the fact that JADCO’s work must remain independent, remain credible, and aligned with international standards, including the WADA Code, as well as reflect the commitment and responsibility of the Government as a State party to the UNESCO Convention Against Doping In Sport.”

During the panel discussion, Ison responded to a question from the audience on recommendations to promote clean sport.

“I don’t know if I can talk about one, but one thing sports associations and federations can do is engage with JADCO,” she said. “Be proactive, find out what it is that your constituents need and ask JADCO to provide the guidance and the workshops for you.

“Also, put internal processes in place, or codes, like the JAAA has done, so you have a medical committee, you have a safeguarding officer.”

Ison also had a word for parents.

“You can also learn about how athletes can harm themselves by ingesting performance-enhancing substances, including supplements,” she said. “You also need to educate yourself about what is safe and what isn’t. Doc [Jones] and Coach Riley said the safest thing is a balanced healthy diet, and exercise will help towards your athletic prowess in whatever your discipline.”

But Ison also acknowledges that the Government has a continued role to play.

“We have to continue to amend our policies and legislation and put the framework in place to support the National Anti-Doping Framework,” she said.

— Rachid Parchment

In this January 29, 2025 file photo, Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) Executive Director June Spence Jarrett (left) speaks with JADCO Chair Debby Brown Salmon during the 2025 JADCO Symposium at Terra Nova All-Suite Hotel. (Photo: Joseph Wellington)