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Whistleblower on Jamaica drug failings 'bullied into silence'
By Martha Kelner and Nick Harris
PUBLISHED: 16:25 EST, 26 October 2013 | UPDATED: 16:25 EST, 26 October 2013 6 shares
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A whistleblower who made public the shocking failings of Jamaica's anti-doping system has been bullied and intimidated into silence by government officials, Sportmail has learned.
Renee Anne Shirley, a former executive director of Jamaica's anti-doping commission, sparked international concern in August when she revealed massive loopholes in her nation's testing and called for a restructuring of the commission.
The World Anti-Doping Agency have become so concerned that they are undertaking a three-day visit to the island from tomorrow to investigate.
Asafa Powell: Tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrine
Jamaica has shot to global prominence in world athletics in recent years as their runners have earned the nation piles of Olympic and world medals. Keeping their image untarnished is important, with Jamaican sports stars arguably their most lauded international commodity these days.
In recent months a number of Jamaican athletes have tested positive, including Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson and three-time Olympic gold medallist, Veronica Campbell-Brown.
The issue of whether government interference has hampered a clampdown on drugs cheats is high on WADA's agenda, and anti-doping reformers in Jamaica, past and present, have claimed there are reasons for serious concern.
One says Shirley has been bullied into silence. 'One government official said to her: "I hope you're happy because you have killed a generation of athletes and made the rest of the world think Jamaicans are cheating",' said the source.
In another incident aimed at Shirley, Jamaica's minister for sport, Natalie Neita-Headley, went on national TV last week and suggested she was psychologically damaged.
Those who have worked with Shirley say she is a committed anti-doping campaigner who simply wants clean sport in Jamaica and transparency around how that is achieved.
Shirley's key claim was that Jamaica's commission conducted only one out-of-competition drug test on Jamaican sportsmen between February 2012 and the London Olympics.
'It's textbook to try to tarnish the messenger,' said a source. 'I'm not saying all our athletes are cheating, but if you are cheating we need to do all we can to make sure you are caught.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/oth...#ixzz2j7EYvAlo
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By Martha Kelner and Nick Harris
PUBLISHED: 16:25 EST, 26 October 2013 | UPDATED: 16:25 EST, 26 October 2013 6 shares
0
View
comments
A whistleblower who made public the shocking failings of Jamaica's anti-doping system has been bullied and intimidated into silence by government officials, Sportmail has learned.
Renee Anne Shirley, a former executive director of Jamaica's anti-doping commission, sparked international concern in August when she revealed massive loopholes in her nation's testing and called for a restructuring of the commission.
The World Anti-Doping Agency have become so concerned that they are undertaking a three-day visit to the island from tomorrow to investigate.
Asafa Powell: Tested positive for the stimulant oxilofrineJamaica has shot to global prominence in world athletics in recent years as their runners have earned the nation piles of Olympic and world medals. Keeping their image untarnished is important, with Jamaican sports stars arguably their most lauded international commodity these days.
In recent months a number of Jamaican athletes have tested positive, including Asafa Powell, Sherone Simpson and three-time Olympic gold medallist, Veronica Campbell-Brown.
The issue of whether government interference has hampered a clampdown on drugs cheats is high on WADA's agenda, and anti-doping reformers in Jamaica, past and present, have claimed there are reasons for serious concern.
One says Shirley has been bullied into silence. 'One government official said to her: "I hope you're happy because you have killed a generation of athletes and made the rest of the world think Jamaicans are cheating",' said the source.
In another incident aimed at Shirley, Jamaica's minister for sport, Natalie Neita-Headley, went on national TV last week and suggested she was psychologically damaged.
Those who have worked with Shirley say she is a committed anti-doping campaigner who simply wants clean sport in Jamaica and transparency around how that is achieved.
Shirley's key claim was that Jamaica's commission conducted only one out-of-competition drug test on Jamaican sportsmen between February 2012 and the London Olympics.
'It's textbook to try to tarnish the messenger,' said a source. 'I'm not saying all our athletes are cheating, but if you are cheating we need to do all we can to make sure you are caught.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/oth...#ixzz2j7EYvAlo
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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