Marcelo Patricio MD MSc MBA’s Post

*New Blog Post* Sporting excellence and keeping our sports people safe. Paris Olympics 2024 is nearly upon us, and with it we will hear stories of adversity to triumph. We know from past stories that anyone in sport working their hardest to follow their dreams can be at risk of exploitation and abuse. Many feel they have to keep silent, so not to jeopardise their chosen path, but this causes long-term health issues which can last a lifetime. We need to continue the efforts to have safe spaces and practices in sport to keep children and adults safe from harm. We need to have clear oversight of sport governing bodies, to ensure concerns can be brought safely and investigated impartially. Read more from Erica Marks, CEO of Migdal Emunah here: https://lnkd.in/d_beT4pg #migdalemunah #JewishSexualAbuseSupportEdited · 2 m

A recent WADA study has provided evidence that Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) are not widespread in elite sport. A TUE is a special exemption granted by Anti-Doping Organizations to an athlete with a medical condition allowing them to use a prohibited medication or method, if they fulfill the criteria as outlined in the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions (ISTUE). Our study shows that less than 1% of Olympic and less than 3% of Paralympic athletes competed with valid TUEs between 2016 and 2022. Our Medical Director, Dr. Alan Vernec, emphasized: “On the eve of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, we welcome results of yet another study demonstrating the low prevalence of TUEs in elite sport. Studies like these are important to the sporting community, and may help inform future policy and education initiatives in sport and antidoping.” Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eEG-pY_m #CleanSport #AntiDoping#Study #Medical #Paris2024 

💊 The pill that contaminated anti-doping worldwide Trust in global anti-doping efforts is under threat❗ Last week, the U.S. government withheld $3.6M from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), citing dissatisfaction with its handling of a high-profile doping case involving Chinese swimmers. In Norway, former WADA vice president and current MP Linda Hofstad Helleland echoed this call, urging her government to suspend funding until significant reforms are made🚨   𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬' 𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟: In April 2024, The New York Times and German broadcaster ARD revealed that 23 Chinese swimmers tested positive for the banned heart medication trimetazidine (TMZ) in January 2021. Despite the violations, no sanctions were imposed and the case kept secret. Some of these swimmers went on to compete - and win medals - at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics. WADA accepted CHINADA’s explanation of “food contamination” without launching an independent appeal, sparking widespread criticism and accusations of a cover-up🚨   At Play the Game, we’ve been following this case closely. 💬 Lars Jørgensen explores the broader implications in “𝘞𝘈𝘋𝘈 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘚𝘈𝘋𝘈 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪-𝘥𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨”. 🔗 In his comment piece in July, Play the Game’s senior advisor Jens Sejer Andersen highlighted that the Chinese swimming case revealed a dangerous shift in WADA’s culture: from 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 to 𝐨𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞. He called on democratic governments to step up and renew their commitment to anti-doping governance📣   𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞? 🛡️ Trust in the global anti-doping system 🤝 Fair treatment for athletes worldwide 🏛️ The future of WADA as a credible, transparent institution   (Links in comments 👇)

The IOC and Paris 2024 Organizing Committee have gone the extra mile with Leading-edge anti-counterfeiting measures!  These vital actions are designed to protect consumers, ensure that revenues from official merchandise support global sports development and athletes, and uphold the integrity of the Olympic brand. For more Information , Visit https://lnkd.in/gyqxriQ5 #SecureOlympics #AuthenticOlympics2024 #Paris2024Integrity #CounterfeitFreeOlympics #PharmaPackaging #AntiCounterfeiting #GlobalPharmaPackaging

The world of anti-doping is anything but straightforward, as illustrated this year by the cases of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek - two world number one tennis players who tested positive for banned substances. Such cases inevitably spark debate: do elite athletes receive better treatment when facing such allegations? The perception is understandable, but the reality is more nuanced. Top athletes often resolve these matters quickly not due to leniency, but because they have the resources - legal teams, medical experts, and strategic advisors- to challenge findings, identify mitigating factors, and appeal effectively. In contrast, lesser-known players often lack the means to navigate these processes as efficiently, leaving them more vulnerable to lengthy suspensions and reputational harm. At the core of the issue lies the complexity of anti-doping cases. Establishing contamination, intent, or degrees of fault requires a meticulous examination of evidence, procedures, and regulations. This demands not only time but considerable expertise - resources that are more accessible to those at the top of their profession. These cases highlight a broader challenge for sport: how to maintain rigorous enforcement of anti-doping rules while ensuring that the process is fair, transparent, and equally accessible to all athletes, regardless of their ranking or financial resources. Aleph Strategies is currently undertaking an evaluation of UNESCO’s International Convention against Doping in Sport, exploring how this Convention supports States Parties to better address doping challenges while ensuring equity, accountability, and trust in anti-doping systems worldwide. #Tennis #AntiDoping #FairnessInSport #EquityInProcess #AlephStrategies

Olympics 2024: NZ athletes slip through drug testing gaps - Kaniva Tonga News By rnz.co.nz and is republished with permission A quarter of the New Zealand team was not tested ahead of the Paris Games, according to International Testing Agency data. By enz.co.nz and is republished with permission Close to 90 percent of athletes worldwide were tested ahead of the 33rd Olympics – but a breakdown of the […] https://lnkd.in/drjrw5md The Anti-Doping Database is a Database of sanctioned athletes that now contains more than 13.000 items. The database is being used by sports journalists, sports lawyers, students, national anti-doping agencies and sports federations around the world. We have been dedicated to clean sport and transparency since 2005, and we are one of the most trusted sources of anti-doping statistics. You find the Anti-Doping Database at https://lnkd.in/g33HxFSC #doping #cleansport #antidoping #datajournalism #sportlaw

CGTN: Clean bill of health for Chinese swimmers: over 600 tests, zero violations ... doping tests, and no violations have been found, despite accusations circulating in some media outlets. The fact is that Chinese swimmers are the ... https://lnkd.in/dQvpYXyk The Anti-Doping Database is a Database of sanctioned athletes that now contains more than 13.000 items. The database is being used by sports journalists, sports lawyers, students, national anti-doping agencies and sports federations around the world. We have been dedicated to clean sport and transparency since 2005, and we are one of the most trusted sources of anti-doping statistics. You find the Anti-Doping Database at https://lnkd.in/g33HxFSC #doping #cleansport #antidoping #datajournalism #sportlaw

📢  The IOC released the Consensus Statement on Interpersonal Violence and Safeguarding in Sport, a document that lays the scientific foundation for the IOC’s initiatives to strengthen safeguarding in and through sport. Key recommendations include: 🔹 Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. 🔹 Safe sport benefits everyone. 🔹 Evidence-based policies are essential. 🔹 Respect and care underpin athlete-centred sport. 🔹 Global perspectives and unheard voices must guide future efforts.   At Safer Grassroots Sport, we champion these values, working to create safer environments for athletes at all levels. 📖 Check the document 👉 https://lnkd.in/e8PvKh5y #safergrassport

Nancy Meto busted in yet another doping violation by Kenyan athlete | MozzartSportKe Kenyan marathoner Nancy Jelagat Meto has been provisionally suspended for the presence/ use of prohibited substance Furosemide. The former Berlin half marathon silver medalist joins the ever growing list of Kenyans who have been sanctioned by the AIU for violation of the anti-doping rules, especially with ADAK's revamped testing programs. The AIU has provisionally suspended Nancy Jelagat Meto (Kenya) for the Presence/Use of a Prohibited Substance (Furosemide)Details here: https://t.co/Y8LF9j2o9f— Athletics Integrity Unit (@aiu_athletics) August 22, 2024 Furosemide is prescribed as a diuretic or water tablet, usually for the treatment of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart failure, kidney disease and fluid retention.It works by increasing urine production in the body to reduce blood pressure and fluid retention.##NAJAVA_MECA_8284085##What's more, it can be used to reduce weight amongst athletes in sports where weight is a factor in competing or where having a lower weight may create an advantage. As Furosemide causes increased urine production it can be used to flush the system of other Prohibited Substances prior to a doping control test.To this point, the Operation Refuge investigation found that Furosemide is always detected alone (no other substances are detected).Why Bahrain will not be recruting more Kenyan athletes for the next three years https://lnkd.in/dsKwGeqn The Anti-Doping Database is a Database of sanctioned athletes that now contains more than 13.000 items. The database is being used by sports journalists, sports lawyers, students, national anti-doping agencies and sports federations around the world. We have been dedicated to clean sport and transparency since 2005, and we are one of the most trusted sources of anti-doping statistics. You find the Anti-Doping Database at https://lnkd.in/g33HxFSC #doping #cleansport #antidoping #datajournalism #sportlaw

A powerful example of whistleblowing transparency - from UK Anti-Doping https://lnkd.in/gnHHPCHy A record number of whistleblowers came forward to the anti-doping body in 2024, according to the latest figures. UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) was handed 211 reports of suspected doping misconduct by its intelligence and investigations team. UKAD launched the 'Protect Your Sport' initiative in November 2020 to encourage #whistleblowers to report anonymously. UKAD's head of intelligence and investigations Mario Theophanous said: "It's important to UKAD that athletes and the sporting community feel safe talking to us, and that we normalise the reporting of doping in sport. "One of the main reasons that we release these reporting numbers is to show individuals who are unsure or uncertain about reporting that you're not alone - there are others like you who want to protect the integrity of their sport."   #whistleblowing #transparency #regulators #sport #AntiDoping #Doping