The SA Institution for Drug Free Sport has strengthened its investigative arm to tackle cases of doping, said chief executive officer Khalid Galant.
“We will not only be testing to keep sport clean but we will be strengthening our investigative unit,” Galant told In the Bunch today.
“Testing is more of a deterrent and with that we usually catch the end users [of doping], particularly at school level where we catch out boys more often.
“We basically have to address the supply chain of cycling and other sports.”
The SA Institution for Drug Free Sport has strengthened its investigative arm to tackle cases of doping. Photo: Anthony Grote Photography
Galant said they would continue “aggressive testing”, but added that it was a “very expensive procedure” and they were unable to test everyone.
“In sports such as cycling, triathlon and sometimes running there have been claims of doping in what we call the ‘recreational level’. It’s very difficult to do testing on a widespread level such as that.
“People just cheat there for a sense of personal prestige. In terms of the efficient use of available resources we now won’t only be testing but we will be partnering law enforcement in our investigations.”
Galant also emphasised the importance of whistle-blowers and tip-offs from the public in their investigations.
“When whistle-blowers give us information we have to act on it,” he said.
“We get a high level of tip-off information, specifically after a national road champs event and many mountain-bike races.
“In the cycling community, especially mountain-biking which has grown exponentially in South Africa, you get people who are passionate for the sport and want to see clean means of competition.
“People come forward, especially fellow athletes who work and train hard cleanly, and give us tip-offs if they see someone cheating.”
Galant, however, said he was well aware of the danger of false accusations.
“We have a specific process of getting information. If you give me information about a certain cyclist doping on an elite level for instance, we will look at performance.
“Then we will investigate whether their performance correlates with a natural progression and whether there are peaks, slumps and whether this could be explained.
“We don’t act on one piece of information; we have special software where we collate tip-offs.
“If a rider gets two or three tip-offs against them then the software starts making links towards conducting more investigation. It’s never just arbitrary and we don’t do witch-hunts.”
