CYCLISTS READY FOR DOPING TESTS

SIMUNYE –Local athletes will soon be randomly tested for doping, but cyclists do not have ants in their pants.

Doping is simply the use of banned substances to enhance performance. National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) Vice President, Comfort Shongwe, who is a Board Member at the Regional Anti-Doping Organisation, disclosed that athletes could be randomly tested while at home.
Athletes who are found to have used such banned substances whether through a positive drugs test, the biological passport system, an investigation or public admission, may receive a competition ban for a length of time which reflects the severity of the infraction. Marijuana at most stays for up to a month in the blood of an athlete.

In random interviews after the Swazi 3 Reserves Mountain Bike (MTB) Classic at Simunye Country on Saturday, some of the cyclists said they read about doping online. Seasoned cyclist, Mduduzi Zwane, said he learnt that use of some energy drinks could lead to a positive test, but said he always watched what he drank.
“I use juice most of the time.

“I’m ready for the test even if it can be conducted now,” said Zwane. 
Some junior cyclists were blank on the concept.
Giving the wrong residential address when Doping Control Officers call for a test or eluding test is also deemed doping. 

The Swaziland Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA) will run a course from this Friday until Sunday, with each association expected to send a minimum of one participant and it has been set as a compliancy for SOCGA membership for 2018. According to SOCGA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Muriel Hofer, the banned substances differ from each sporting code.  A soccer player, for instance, can drink alcohol when the is no immediate game or during off season. Energy drinks are considered clean for some sports and banned for some.

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