Observations

Doping Control

Training and Education of Doping Control Personnel

Doping Control Officers (DCO) from different South American countries were recruited

for the purpose of ensuring that doping control was carried out as per the International

Standard for Testing. The competence and experience of the DCOs varied, with the

majority showing excellent performance and good planning skills prior to and during the

doping control procedures. Some DCOs had less experience, which was evident from

their performance. The international DCO pool was composed of DCOs from Brazil (10-

12), Colombia (1), Uruguay (1) and Venezuela (1). Having excluded native English

speakers in the recruitment of DCOs was problematic given the large delegation of

athletes using English as their mother tongue – especially those taking medals at the

Games. Even if the majority of DCOs was speaking English as a second language, a

widespread continental selection could have been more beneficial. The IO Team is aware

that there are experienced English speaking DCOs, not only from Canada and the US,

but also from the Caribbean RADO, that could have been considered for the international

pool of DCOs, which would have given a better linguistic balance and a good opportunity

to use the very experienced DCOs from CCES or USADA, both relating to carrying out

the doping control but also for educating the Mexican DCOs.

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