Training and Education of Doping Control Personnel

The first session was performed two days before the opening ceremonies. As some DCOs

and Mexican DCOs hadn’t attended the first session, a second session was organized one

day after the opening ceremonies. The first session was mainly theoretical, with no

practical training or demonstration of equipment. Forms to be used during the sample

collection session were explained during this education session.

A larger number of DCOs attended the second session (10 international and 15

Mexican). The training was also delivered in a professional manner. Having DCOs

perform some of the tasks, using the sample collection equipment used during the

Games, under the supervision of two members of the PASO MC, increased the

effectiveness of the training. This training session was a good opportunity to share

information between the more and less experienced DCOs and to clarify all the

remaining doubts about the doping control procedures during the Games. The IO Team

used the opportunity to give a brief presentation about the manipulation of urine

samples with proteases to defeat the EPO detection method and the preventive actions

that must be implemented during the doping control procedures in order to prevent that

manipulation.

Chaperones did not receive any training prior to the beginning of the Games, only

receiving a briefing at the venues just before the beginning of the start of the doping

control session. In addition, at some venues the volunteers recruited as chaperones

changed from one day to the next, what did not contribute to capitalize on their

experience from one day to the other.


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