Delegates from a dozen sports attended the anti-doping and sports nutrition workshop in the British Virgin Islands ©BVIOC

British Virgin Islands Olympic Committee (BVIOC) President Ephraim Penn has insisted that an an anti-doping and sports nutrition workshop on the islands will "educate athletes and coaches on the processes and expectations for clean sport".

The two day seminar began with an anti-doping presentation at the Bregado Flax Educational Center on Virgin Gorda, led by Caribbean Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) communications and projects coordinator Marsha Boyce and BVIOC chief anti-doping officer Harlan Vanterpool.

Participants received an introduction to the Anti-Doping Education and Learning Platform (ADEL) and the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS) used for processing information on  athlete 'whereabouts' and application and administration of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs).

In 2018, Kyron McMaster became the first BVI athlete to win gold at the Commonwealth Games. 

He won the 400 metres hurdles gold in Gold Coast and repeated his success at Birmingham 2022.

McMaster also finished 4th in the Olympic final in Tokyo.

As a 19-year-old, he had won bronze at the World Athletics U20 Championships in 2016.

At the Lima 2019 Pan American Games, Chantal Malone won gold in women's long jump and placed 12th in the Olympic final in Tokyo.

"In recent years, the BVI has produced two Olympic, a two-time Commonwealth Games and a Diamond League Champion and a junior track and field phenomenon which has brought us to the attention of international organisations such as the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)," Penn said.

Double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kyron McMaster, in picture, and other athletes have managed to attract attention on the British Virgin Islands according to BVIOC President Ephraim Penn ©Getty Images
Double Commonwealth Games gold medallist Kyron McMaster, in picture, and other athletes have managed to attract attention on the British Virgin Islands according to BVIOC President Ephraim Penn ©Getty Images

"As both the National Olympic Committee and the National Anti-Doping Commission, we need to educate our national federations and their member athletes, coaches, parents and volunteers on the processes and expectations for clean sport since lack of knowledge is not accepted as an excuse in the event of a violation."

"It was pleasing to see the enthusiasm and keen interest shown by participants during our interactive Clean Sport Workshops," Boyce said.

"It’s important for all athletes and athlete support personnel, for example coaches, managers, physios and doctors to be exposed to the right information and to have access to the relevant resources in the fight against doping in sport."

BVI Minister for Health and Social Development Marlon Penn attended further sessions held at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola.

"As athletes, it is even more important that you receive the right information that will help you to choose the right food that will help you maximise your output for the results you hope to achieve," Minister Penn said. 

"I am pleased that the Ministry is positioned to provide this guidance.

"The Ministry for Health and Social Development, through its Public Health Unit, has an agenda that seeks to combat non-communicable diseases in the community and to encourage healthier lifestyles through physical activity and a diet rich in nutritional food."

The seminars were supported by the Olympic Solidarity programme and attracted participants from archery, athletics, basketball, cricket, cycling, football, netball, sailing, softball/baseball, taekwondo and volleyball.