Powerlifting to finally tackle doping crisis after another positive test

By Nick Butler

October 4 - Powerlifting has unveiled a new programme of educational and practical support in order to reduce the widespread doping problems in the sport which have been revealed by a surfeit of recent scandals.

The announcement comes on the same day Russian powerlifter Ilnar Latypov was given a two-year suspension for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation.

Latypov's case follows several other recent doping scandals, including a failed test by London 2012 gold medallist Ivory Nwokorie of Nigeria.

The new programme, entitled "Natural power – Say No! to Doping", will be funded by the Agitos Foundation and will be incorporated into a number of events, beginning with the Asian Open Championships next month and including the 2014 World Championships in Dubai next April.

As well as targeting all practising lifters the scheme will also focus upon coaches and the support networks which surround the athletes throughout training and competition.

The new programme is the result of several scandals and is supported by the Agitos Foundation

Athletes, coaches and support networks will be provided with opportunities to attend sessions run by respected figures with years of anti-doping experience, knowledge and expertise.

The sessions will include one-to-one education and training as well as practical testing of the knowledge gained.

Participants will also be shown the wealth of resources available through the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to support them in their training regimes, and will be offered branded merchandise to show their commitment to anti-doping.

More than any other Paralympic discipline the sport has been dogged by scandals in recent months.

Nigeria's Paralympic gold medallist Ivory Nwokorie, Iraq's Huda Ali and Moldovan athletes Stefan Rosca and Verginiu Arapu were all banned for two years and fined €1,500 (£1,300/$2,000) after violating regulations in July.

Many other athletes have been banned earlier in 2013, including Kazakhstan's Ruza Kuzieva and Nigerian Paralympic medal-winner Folashade Oluwafemiayo, who was stripped of the silver medal she had won in the under 75 kilogram category at London 2012.

Ivory Nwokorie celebrates winning her gold medal at London 2012 before she was one of several Paralympic powerlifter exposed as a drugs cheat

Ivory Nwokorie celebrates winning her gold medal at London 2012 alongside those she "beat" before she was exposed as a drugs cheat

An International Paralympic Committee (IPC) spokesman told insidethegames in July that they were "obviously very concerned by the number of cases".

The spokesman explained existing measures which included educational programmes at international events and literature distributed in multiple languages.

The problem however lies in gaining the "support of our National Paralympic Committee's (NPC's) athletes and the coaches to wipe doping out from the sport", it was claimed.

The latest case of Russian Ilnar Latypov, a silver medallist at the 2013 European Championships, illustrated that the problem undoubtedly remains.

Latypov provided a urine sample showing traces of anabolic steroid use at those Championships and has been banned for two years and installed with a similar fine of (£1,300/$2,000).

"We are extremely serious about tackling doping in powerlifting," said Jon Amos, chairperson of the IPC Powerlifting Sport Technical Committee.

"It is an unwanted and unnecessary negative issue surrounding the more positive images of our sport and one that we must all share the responsibility in making sure it does not come to characterise it.

"That is why we have created this education programme.

"To reach out to athletes, their coaches and teams during competitions in very practical ways, and by encouraging them to demonstrate their commitment to anti-doping amongst the sport community."

It remains to be seen however if the latest programme will be able to impact the athletes and coaches and result in a more profound and long term difference.