Who is responsible for positive doping?

"The truth that all this went through ignorance," said Carolina Ocampo to the press to provide her release on the case of positive doping in the 11th South American Games Cochabamba 2018, in the 4×100 relay .

But can not a top athlete who is not competing for the first time on the international stage know what substances should not be consumed and what doping control procedures are in place?

Marco Arze, President of the Bolivian Olympic Committee He noted that all athletes participating in international sports games have signed a document titled "Eligibility Form", stating that "they know the Anti-Doping Code . Therefore, if they have not read it, there are mistakes that need to be corrected. "

Although the form for the 2018 South American Games was not found, this media was able to access the Bolivarian Games 2017 in Santa Marta, accepting the publicity aspects and denying the responsibility. from the organization on various issues, says: "I agree to abide by the rules and procedures set out in the World Anti-Doping Code and to compete with the spirit of fair play." As stated, the document which must be signed not only by the athletes but also by the officers (coaches, leaders, etc.) is similar to the South Americans.

Alba Gamarra, Bolivia's deputy chef de mission at Cocha 2018, He asserted that all the athletes knew that there were doctors available to them for any consultation or attention.Some even asked if they could drink Coca-Cola, out of fear so they can not say that They do not know and they should be careful with the medications that they take, "Gamarra said. Arze went a step further and said that "the first and the direct manager is the coach, because it is he who must not only physically prepare the athlete, but also the athlete. educate in what is forbidden and forbidden. "

Despite this, Arze acknowledged his responsibility, as did the Ministry of Sports, as there was clearly no adequate and massive socialization of the issue of doping in Bolivia because it is a task that both agencies must accomplish at all levels.

"An education system must be applied, not only to athletes, but also to coaches, that is, to all players in the sport, including the journalistic part. pose because there is a high degree of misinformation, "said Arze.

The Olympic leader claimed that it is necessary to establish a National Anti-Doping Organization (NADO) in the country This task, according to the World Anti-Doping Code, is to be encouraged both by the National Olympic Committees and their governments, but it does not refer to funding.An organization of this nature would imply a heavy economic investment, since each test has a minimum cost of $ 250 and that someone must bear the costs.

THE ODESUR DEMANDS THE CITATION OF MEDALS

The South American Sports Organization (Odesur) sent a note to the Bolivian Olympic Committee (COB) asking for the return of the medals, both the medal of honor. silver won by the 4×100 women's station and bronze boxing, informed the president of the COB, Marco Arze.

"It is a requirement that as soon as possible must be fulfilled," said Arze.

Carolina Ocampo in the relays and Rodrigo Carvajal in boxing, were the athletes who gave positive doping in Cocha 2018.

FOR BOLIVIA IS NOT THE FIRST TIME

This is not the first time that the country is involved in a positive doping problem in the South American Games.

Eight years ago, IX Medellin South American Games 2010, another Bolivian athlete was involved in a doping case.

Alison Sánchez, who had won the bronze medal with the 4×400 team, was stripped after being tested positive for Nandrolona.

Sanchez always assured his innocence and said that he used the drug because of ignorance and lack of guidance to heal an injury.

The athlete was suspended from sport for two years and only in 2012 she returned to competition

MINIMUM SANCTION IS TWO YEARS OF SUSPENSION

Carolina Ocampo, positive for the substance Acetazolamide, a masking agent, and Rodrigo Carvajal, positive for anabolic androgenic steroids, could receive between two to four years of suspension from any activity

According to the World Anti-Doping Code, when it is shown that the athlete intentionally and consciously used the substance, the penalty is four years in the first instance and in case of recidivism, the suspension is in perpetuity .

But in the case of "an anti-doping rule violation resulting from an abnormal test result by a prohibited substance only in competition, it should not be considered" intentional "if the drug is not a specific substance and that the athlete can prove that he used the prohibited substance out of competition in a context not related to sports activity, "He is two years old. [19659011] Ocampo presented his warnings in which he claims to have used the drug Puna Cap, with a composition similar to that of Sorojchipill, to combat altitude sickness, and therefore expects to receive the minimum penalty.

In the case of Carvajal, he has not yet made his warnings known, although his national federation assured that until the end of the week there would be information about it. of sample B because to be pos itif the penalty could double.

SIX ATHLETES HAVE OLYMPIC SCHOLARSHIPS

APG

Athletes Karen Tórrez and José Quintanilla, swimmers; Ángela Castro and Ronal Quispe, athletic walk; Alejandro Gómez, mountain bike; and Rudolf Knijnenburg, Sports Shooting, will receive financial support ($ 1,000 per month) from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Assistance Program Scholarships, which is implemented by Olympic Solidarity.

athletes who, by their merits and achievements, benefit from this support. This is a monthly economic sum that helps them prepare, they are like a thousand dollars, "said Graciela Jurado, secretary of the Bolivian Olympic Committee (COB).

The six athletes participated in the South Games -Americans of Cochabamba 2018. Tórrez won three silver medals in the 50-meter freestyle, 100-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly, Castro a silver medal in the 20-kilometer, and Quispe a bronze in the 50 kilometers

"We know that athletes invest a lot in their preparation and this purse is a cushion to maintain at least their nutrition," explained Jurado, July, giving the money the first few days. August.

The assistance to these athletes will last 24 months, in order to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The jury made it clear that the scholarship holders must do theirs as it is an amount that comes in a team, they have to ire the dumps, because if one of them does not present the corresponding report, then, all the equipment is affected, "he said.