SOUTHERN CAPE NEWS - As part of the capacity building programme of Eden Sports Council (EDENSC), a Substance Abuse Workshop was hosted under the auspices of the EDENSC Athletes' Commission on Thursday 4 May.
It was presented by Hendrik de Villiers, ex South African and World Triathlon Athlete now working for the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS). "Countless sport persons have battled substance abuse. Rarely a day passes without news of a player or athlete entering rehab, failing a drug test, partying lavishly or overdosing on a substance.
In his presentation, supporting the statement above, the following became evident
• The sports supplement industry in South Africa is not regulated - 82% of all supplements available in the country does not comply to the WADA requirements;
• In many cases advice for the use is seek from the wrong sources;
• No matter what your doctor, coach, pharmacist or agent prescribe – it is finally the sport person that are liable;
• The after effects of steroids in many cases only realises later in life;
• Therapeutic Use Exemptions are in many cases addressed from the wrong angle;
• There are at least 10 doping violations that are in many cases not even known to the sport persons – even at international level.
In his word of welcome, Desmond Speelman (Chairperson: EDENSC) urged the attendees to spread the gospel that they were presented with at this workshop.
He also indicated that EDENSC will schedule a follow-up workshop specifically targeting the school sport community.
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