Other Sports
South Africa, Kazakhstan Lose WADA Licence
The accreditation of two laboratories based in Kazakhstan and South Africa has been revoked by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Laboratory in Almaty and the South African Doping Control Laboratory (SADoCoL) in Bloemfontein had both been provisionally suspended last year by the agency, meaning neither could carry out testing.
This was due to “non-compliance with the International Standard for Laboratories (ISL)”.
The Kazakhstani laboratory was initially given a four-month suspension in June 2016 before this was extended to a year.
SADoCoL’s ban, originally set at five months in May 2016, was also increased. Now, following reviews from WADA’S Laboratory Expert Group (LabEG), it has been determined that neither site have made the necessary improvements needed to gain reinstatement.
Along with this, WADA decided that both laboratories should have their accreditations removed.
The result of this is that there are now no accredited laboratories in Africa, while the number in Asia drops to six.
“At the end of these extended suspension periods, WADA’s LabEG considered that neither Laboratory had satisfactorily addressed the outstanding non-conformities with the ISL,” a WADA statement said.
“Accordingly, the LabEG reported the cases to the WADA Disciplinary Committee, which is constituted to review such cases and issue recommendations.
“Consequently, recommendations were made to the Executive Committee, which decided that both Laboratories’ WADA accreditation should be revoked.”
Both laboratories have until July 20 to file appeals against the decision. In statement published by the University of the Free State (UFS), where SADoCoL is based, laboratory bosses claimed they are still permitted to analyse blood samples for the Athlete Biological Passport
They also claimed it “does not impact” testing of urine samples by the South African Institute of Drug-free Sport, which will be done by other WADA accredited venues.
The statement also said that blood samples will continue to be tested at SADoCoL. Laboratory director Dr Marthinus van der Merwe said they will re-apply for accreditation after spending a lot of time trying to prevent the revocation.
“In this period, the laboratory worked diligently to realise all of these requirements and according to an inspection team from the WADA LabEG, who visited the laboratory in February 2017, much has been done and the Laboratory is in a much better state than it was before the suspension in May 2016,” he said.
“However, there were certain aspects of these requirements that the laboratory could not achieve within the time-frame stipulated by WADA and therefore the organization is bound by its rules and regulations to now revoke the accreditation status of the laboratory.
“Since much effort and resources have been invested in the laboratory in the last two years, the management of SADoCoL together with senior leadership of the UFS decided to go ahead and finalise all development in order to re-apply for WADA accreditation.”
Online publication, insidethegames.biz has contacted Athletes’ Anti-Doping Laboratory for comment.
Three other laboratories based in Portuguese capital Lisbon, Bogota in Colombia and Mexico City are also currently serving suspensions by WADA.
On June 20, a partial three-month suspension was handed to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Olympic Analytical Laboratory, preventing the site to report any adverse analytical findings for the glucocorticoids prednisolone and ‘prednisone and the anabolic steroids boldenone and boldione.
However, the laboratory, situated about three miles from the main UCLA campus, is allowed to carry out other tests during this time period.
Other Sports
Teenager Inkosi Brou captures Nigeria’s first medal at International Fencing Championship
Nigeria made a remarkable entry into the global fencing scene-at the weekend with an impressive performance by 16-year-old Inkosi
Brou.
Inkosi secured Nigeria’s first-ever medal in the Sabre category at the
World Tournoi Satellite Cup in Iceland.
Competing against some of the world’s elite fencers at the Viking Cup
2024, a Senior World Cup Satellite Sabre Tournament, the world’s No. 67
ranked fencer, Inkosi, clinched a silver medal after a hard-fought 9-15
match against Iceland’s Andre Mateev.
As the No. 5 seed, Inkosi began his campaign in the Round of 16,
defeating Germany’s Magnus De Witt 15-9. He continued his winning streak
in the quarter-finals with a close 15-13 victory over Spain’s Oriol
Farre.
In the semifinals, Inkosi faced his biggest hurdle when he faced
No. 1 seed, Cristoher Cortez of Ecuador in a tactical and intense match,
ultimately advancing to the final with a 15-14 win.
Inkosi, the grandson of the late Dora Akinyuli, former NAFDAC Director
General, expressed his excitement and inspiration from his performance,
which fuels his ambition for a spot at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic
Games.
“Starting the fencing season with a silver medal at one of my first
senior FIE competitions is a great achievement.
“I am proud to represent Nigeria at this elite competition and continue my quest for a spot at LA 2028. I’d like to thank Akhi Spencer-El, Daryl Homer, Alex Fotiyev, and Tom Seitz for their support during the off-season,” Inkosi said.
Adeyinka Samuel, President of the Nigeria Fencing Federation (NFF),
praised Inkosi’s efforts and highlighted the significance of this
achievement for Nigerian fencing.
“We are thrilled with the progress in the sport as it aligns with our prediction to medal at the LA 2028 Olympics Games. Inkosi’s success motivates us to work harder towards having a Nigerian team well-represented at the 2028 Olympic Games.
“This first medal in an FIE event is truly inspiring, and we hope Inkosi
continues to gain experience and recognition globally,” Samuel stated.
A Ferrari Testarossa sports car stolen from Austrian Formula One driver Gerhard Berger during the 1995 San Marino Grand Prix weekend has been recovered by London police almost 29 years later.
The Metropolitan Police said on Monday the red F512M, worth some 350,000 pounds ($444,325.00), was tracked down in four days after Ferrari reported it was the one being sold through a British broker to a U.S. buyer.
Police enquiries found it was shipped to Japan shortly after being stolen from the Italian city of Imola and then arrived in Britain in late 2023.
The Organised Vehicle Crime Unit said enquiries were ongoing and no arrests had been made.
A second silver Ferrari F355 that belonged to Berger’s French former team mate Jean Alesi, which was stolen on the same weekend in the Italian city, remains missing.
Alesi finished second in the race won by Williams’ Damon Hill with Berger third, in the Ferrari drivers’ final season at the Italian team before the arrival of Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine.
Berger had caught the thief in the act of stealing his car but after jumping clear and then giving chase in a friend’s Volkswagen Golf, according to a news report at the time, was unable to prevent it from getting away.
-Reuters
The resounding success of the 2nd edition of the National Para Games culminated in an exhilarating and grand closing ceremony at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium, Abuja.
The week-long celebration of talent, resilience, and sportsmanship concluded on December 14th, leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of para sports in Nigeria.
The Minister of Sports Development, Senator John Owan Enoh, lauded the remarkable display of talent and dexterity exhibited by the para athletes throughout the Games. Expressing his delight, he commended the spirit of competition and the dedication of all participants.
“The National Para Games have once again showcased the incredible abilities and unwavering spirit of our para athletes,” Senator Enoh said. “The level of talent and determination displayed by these athletes is truly inspiring. They embody the essence of sportsmanship and perseverance.”
“Through sports, we celebrate unity, resilience, and determination. The National Para Games have proven to be a platform that not only showcases exceptional talent but also fosters inclusivity and breaks barriers.”
From December 8th to 14th, the stadium played host to representatives from all 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The atmosphere was charged with excitement as athletes showcased their skills, determination, and unwavering spirit, captivating audiences and leaving spectators in awe.
Bayelsa State emerged as the champions of the Games, winning 30 gold, 24 silver and 20 bronze medals. Abia, Kano Lagos, and Oyo states completed the top five in that order. Their athletes’ dedication and outstanding performances solidified their position at the pinnacle of para sports excellence.
The closing ceremony was a spectacle of pomp and pageantry, featuring captivating performances, cultural displays, and heartfelt tributes to the athletes who epitomized perseverance and triumph over adversity.
As the curtains drew to a close on this momentous occasion, the legacy of the National Para Games continues to inspire a new era of inclusivity, empowerment, and recognition for para athletes across Nigeria.
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