Renee Anne Shirley said there was "such smugness" from many sporting nations - who she said think they don't have a problem with doping.

"Every time someone says, 'We don't have a problem in X sport or in Y country', I say, 'Oh really?'", said Shirley.

"I don't believe it's a majority of athletes, but I think so many of the outcomes are determined by things that are not necessarily on the track."

Shirley, former director of the Jamaican Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO), claimed last year that out-of-competition testing in the country was insufficient ahead of the London 2012 Olympics.

A number of Jamaican stars, including former world 100 metres record holder Asafa Powell, later tested positive for banned performance-enhancing drugs.

The World Anti-Doping Agency confirmed there was "a significant gap of no testing" as Jamaican athletes trained in the months ahead of the Games, and launched an investigation.

Shirley, speaking here on the opening day of the Tackling Doping in Sport Conference, claimed her whistleblowing had left her ostracised by Jamaica in its "entirety".

Renee Anne Shirley (left) urged delegates not to think their sports don't have a doping problem ©ITG



She said her own family did not want her to come to London for the conference, but "someone has to speak out".

In November, sprinter Usain Bolt claimed the criticism of Jamaica's drug-testing programme had lost him a potential sponsor.

"Very few people will speak out after what happened to me," said Shirley.

"If you come forward, you're going against the IOC (International Olympic Committee], you're going against a brand."

She added: "Jamaica needs time.

"They're going to start from scratch with a new Board, new testing people.

"I genuinely believe they're going to make a real effort."

During her talk to around 200 delegates from across the sporting spectrum, Shirley said there were links between doping in sport, organised crime and match fixing.

She also said global testing statistics and educational programmes indicated "we are only seeing the tip of the iceberg when it comes to catching those who cheat".

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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