(MENAFN- The Peninsula) By Armstrong Vas I The Peninsula
The CEO of Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) Brett Clothier yesterday applauded the good work of the Qatar Anti-doping Commission (QADC) in educating athletes over doping matters and sports related integrity issues at the ongoing IAAF World Championships.
'The Qatar Anti-doping Commission is doing a fantastic job of supporting us on the education initiatives being put forward by us at the Athletics Sports Integrity hub. It's really important to build awareness for the athletes about our role and what we do and how we aim to protect the integrity of the sport and also for them to get education about matters that affect them. So it's a really important thing that's happening here at the World Championships and the volunteers are doing an amazing job, said Clothier while speaking to The Peninsula.
The AIU has set up a special hub during the ongoing IAAF World Championships at the Ezdan Hotel where most of the teams are staying. A host of volunteers have been distributing booklets and explaining to the athletes the role of the AIU and educating them about doping substances and integrity issues.
'There are various pieces of reading material given out to athletes, which explains the rules that they have to comply with and their obligations as athletes and their rights and their role to preserve those ethics some of the information concerns the role of the ARU and what we do so that they're aware of it, added Clothier.
Explaining the role AIU, Clothier said: 'The AIU is important for the public, for the athletes for the fans and it's so important that the things that they see happening on the track are an authentic affair and can be trusted. So without integrity sports is nothing.
Clothier said the role of WADA and AIU are completely different and there is no conflict of interest.
'WADA overseas the anti-doping standards across all sports and all countries. Our job is to enforce the anti-doping standards and the integrity standards within the sport of athletics, he added.
The AIU is also overseeing the drug-testing programme at the Championships.
'The IAAF World Athletics Championships is one of the greatest sports events in the world and it is AIU's responsibility to ensure fair play, AIU Chairman David Howman said.
'Transferring samples of athletes from the host nation to another World Anti-Doping Agency-accredited laboratory is a proactive measure to avoid any perception of conflict.
'Public confidence in the integrity of a sporting event is paramount and we do not want to leave any stone unturned to ensure this is achieved for the biggest athletics event.
The AIU has also launched a bet monitoring operation during Championships.
'It is the AIU's responsibility to pro-actively combat all forms of corruption and ethical misconduct in athletics, and that includes illegitimate betting practices and competition manipulation related to such activities, Howman said.
'The risk in athletics is currently low relative to some other sports, but with growth in key betting markets our activities are designed to get ahead of the curve and discourage unethical behaviour in our sport before it takes place, he said.
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