By Nick Butler

Sir Craig Reedie (second left) pictured with JADCO executive director Carey Brown (left) and chairman R. Danny Williams (right) during his visit as well as JOA President Mike Fennell ©JADCOWorld Anti Doping Agency (WADA) President Sir Craig Reedie has praised Jamaican authorities for improvements made in tackling doping following a visit to the island, adding they have now created a model that other countries could replicate.


The praise comes little more than a year after the country was rocked by a series of doping scandals involving some of its best known names, including former 100 metres world record holder Asafa Powell and Athens 2004 gold medallist. Sherone Simpson.

Former Jamaican Anti Doping Agency (JADCO) executive director Renee Anne Shirley claimed just a single out-of-competition test had been conducted in the six months leading up to 2012 Olympics in London, where Jamaica won a total of 12 medals, including four gold. 

An Extraordinary Audit was also conducted by the WADA in response to these problems, while chairman Herb Elliott led a mass resignation of the organisation's executive management in November 2013.

He was replaced as executive director by Carey Brown, who appears to have repaired JADCO's reputation.

Brown has overseen several commitments to improvements, aided by Justice Minister Senator Mark Golding introducing a new Anti-Doping in Sport Bill in December 2014, enhancing the independence and scope of JADCO.

Jamaica has been battling to improve its reputation following a surfeit of failures, involving athletes such as Asafa Powell ©Getty ImagesJamaica has been battling to improve its reputation following a surfeit of failures, involving athletes such as Asafa Powell ©Getty Images



Following his visit this week, which resulted from a longstanding invitation to the island from Jamaica Olympic Association (JOA) President Michael Fennell, Sir Craig praised this improvement, citing three particular areas where gains have been made.

These relate to increased Government support, a new independent Board with no conflict of interests, new leadership and support from the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport.

"They now have absolutely the correct framework in place, and are now accelerating the testing and education programme with the National Federations." Sir Craig told insidethegames.

"When WADA visited 18 months ago, the impression was that athletes were being tested by the IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federations) only, and the world expected more from the Jamaican authorities.

"Since then, it has been a good example of how a situation can be recovered, and they have now created a model that others can replicate."

During his visit, Sir Craig, also a vice-president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), met with officials from the Government, as well JADCO, including the Jamaica's Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller. 

Sir Craig has now traveled to Rio de Janeiro for an IOC Executive Board meeting. 

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December 2014: Jamaican Parliament pass new law to give country's anti-doping body more power
July 2014: Powell and Simpson free to race again after doping bans cut from 18 to six months
May 2014: Powell launches appeal to CAS to reduce doping ban to three months
April 2014: Exclusive: Fennell "relieved" progress made in Jamaican doping cases
October 2013: WADA visit was "constructive" and "fruitful", claims Jamaican Sports Minister