Drug Testing at the World Cup 2019
September 13, 2019
Complaint: 2/2 But after 1st game I spent literally 2 hours from 19:57 till 21:56 for the doping test with Rusada hired by FIDE instead of resting and prepare for the 2nd game. Why so long? Why it was not WADA? Was I randomly selected?! I hope to play better soon.
Ruslan Ponomariov, September 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ponomariov/statu...76255941234688
Two responses:
FIDE, September 12
As per WADA procedures, FIDE has to select a National Anti-doping Organisation that is a member of WADA: in this case, RUSADA. The doping control testing is done only in WADA accredited and approved laboratories.
Four players were randomly selected for doping control after the first day of play at the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk. These players were selected using an Electronic Number Generator in the presence of a FIDE representative, Dr. Marape Marape (Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission).
The reason why it took two hours for Mr Ponomariov to complete the test are purely physiological. There was not a single minute of delay due to the actions of supervisors or organizers. Dr. Marape Marape was personally present during the entire procedure and answered all the questions that Ruslan asked him, including one about the selection of players for doping control.
We are very sorry for the inconveniences that this may have caused to him. However, compliance with WADA requirements is one of the mandatory conditions for the IOC to recognize chess.
__________
WADA = The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is a foundation initiated by the International Olympic Committee based in Canada to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports. The agency's key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code, whose provisions are enforced by the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport.
_________
From the World Cup official site:
- Our guest is Dr. Marape Marape, the Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission. Are doping tests done under your control and your guidance?
- Yes, indeed. All the doping control at the World Cup and other official FIDE events is done directly under my control and under my supervision as the Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission.
- Are the players selected randomly?
- Yes, they are. For the first round of this event, the selection was done completely randomly using an electronic random number generator. The players were listed according to their latest FIDE ratings and then four players were chosen completely randomly.
- What is the procedure for the later rounds?
- We use different methods. For the initial rounds, we use random and as the championship proceeds, we use targeted testing during the later stages. We are testing the top two highest rated players and the finalists. If the finalists have already been tested then the two who lost in the semi-finals should also be tested. The criteria are very transparent.
- What is the role of the RUSADA, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency?
- RUSADA is what is called a national anti-doping organization. According to the policy of the World Anti-Doping Agency and FIDE as the testing and managing, we appoint a national anti-doping organization in the country where the chess event is held. In this case, it is held in Russia, so FIDE appointed the Russian anti-doping agency. RUSADA collects the samples and sends them for lab testing. The results management and any punishment are done by FIDE directly.
- Why do the doping test take so much time sometimes?
- Doping tests don’t take a very long time under the normal circumstances. Like in this case, most tests have taken around 20-30 minutes maximum. The potential problems are beyond our control, like, for example, for one player in this World Cup there was a purely physiological reason for this. If a player, for example, cannot produce enough sample, there is a clear protocol that is followed. The players have to be given enough time so that they can produce the minimum amount of sample required. Then you have to give them some fluid to take and wait for them to be able to produce enough sample. That was the only reason in this case. There was not even one minute that was wasted by the doping control officers because they were working directly under my control and I was making sure that the process was as efficient and as cautious as possible to the players. I was there the whole time and I supervised the whole process. There was never any delay. In the end, the players were actually happy because we answered all their questions and they were satisfied. When we asked for any comments, the players were all the same: no comments. “
https://khantymansiysk2019.fide.com/en/news/293/
September 13, 2019
Complaint: 2/2 But after 1st game I spent literally 2 hours from 19:57 till 21:56 for the doping test with Rusada hired by FIDE instead of resting and prepare for the 2nd game. Why so long? Why it was not WADA? Was I randomly selected?! I hope to play better soon.
Ruslan Ponomariov, September 11, 2019
https://twitter.com/Ponomariov/statu...76255941234688
Two responses:
FIDE, September 12
As per WADA procedures, FIDE has to select a National Anti-doping Organisation that is a member of WADA: in this case, RUSADA. The doping control testing is done only in WADA accredited and approved laboratories.
Four players were randomly selected for doping control after the first day of play at the World Cup in Khanty-Mansiysk. These players were selected using an Electronic Number Generator in the presence of a FIDE representative, Dr. Marape Marape (Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission).
The reason why it took two hours for Mr Ponomariov to complete the test are purely physiological. There was not a single minute of delay due to the actions of supervisors or organizers. Dr. Marape Marape was personally present during the entire procedure and answered all the questions that Ruslan asked him, including one about the selection of players for doping control.
We are very sorry for the inconveniences that this may have caused to him. However, compliance with WADA requirements is one of the mandatory conditions for the IOC to recognize chess.
__________
WADA = The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is a foundation initiated by the International Olympic Committee based in Canada to promote, coordinate and monitor the fight against drugs in sports. The agency's key activities include scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, and monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code, whose provisions are enforced by the UNESCO International Convention against Doping in Sport.
_________
From the World Cup official site:
- Our guest is Dr. Marape Marape, the Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission. Are doping tests done under your control and your guidance?
- Yes, indeed. All the doping control at the World Cup and other official FIDE events is done directly under my control and under my supervision as the Chairman of FIDE Medical Commission.
- Are the players selected randomly?
- Yes, they are. For the first round of this event, the selection was done completely randomly using an electronic random number generator. The players were listed according to their latest FIDE ratings and then four players were chosen completely randomly.
- What is the procedure for the later rounds?
- We use different methods. For the initial rounds, we use random and as the championship proceeds, we use targeted testing during the later stages. We are testing the top two highest rated players and the finalists. If the finalists have already been tested then the two who lost in the semi-finals should also be tested. The criteria are very transparent.
- What is the role of the RUSADA, the Russian Anti-Doping Agency?
- RUSADA is what is called a national anti-doping organization. According to the policy of the World Anti-Doping Agency and FIDE as the testing and managing, we appoint a national anti-doping organization in the country where the chess event is held. In this case, it is held in Russia, so FIDE appointed the Russian anti-doping agency. RUSADA collects the samples and sends them for lab testing. The results management and any punishment are done by FIDE directly.
- Why do the doping test take so much time sometimes?
- Doping tests don’t take a very long time under the normal circumstances. Like in this case, most tests have taken around 20-30 minutes maximum. The potential problems are beyond our control, like, for example, for one player in this World Cup there was a purely physiological reason for this. If a player, for example, cannot produce enough sample, there is a clear protocol that is followed. The players have to be given enough time so that they can produce the minimum amount of sample required. Then you have to give them some fluid to take and wait for them to be able to produce enough sample. That was the only reason in this case. There was not even one minute that was wasted by the doping control officers because they were working directly under my control and I was making sure that the process was as efficient and as cautious as possible to the players. I was there the whole time and I supervised the whole process. There was never any delay. In the end, the players were actually happy because we answered all their questions and they were satisfied. When we asked for any comments, the players were all the same: no comments. “
https://khantymansiysk2019.fide.com/en/news/293/
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