Protecting Clean Athletes a Priority at Asian Beach Games

ATR's coverage of the Asian Beach Games is proudly sponsored by the Olympic Council of Asia

(ATR) The OCA is going the extra mile to preserve anti-doping practices during the Asian Beach Games (ABG5) according to OCA medical committee and anti-doping commission chairman Dr. Mani Jegathesan.

Jegathesan expressed how the OCA has partnered with multiple Anti-Doping Agencies for these games to ensure the protection of clean athletes.

"The OCA has worked closely with the Vietnam Anti-Doping Agency (VADA) to implement this program and to strengthen the VADA workforce.

"We have also been working closely with the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) and the Korea Anti-Doping Agency (KADA), and they have provided experts from Japan and Korea in addition to the Doping Control Officers recruited by the OCA."

Three-hundred tests have been conducted during ABG5.Doping stations have also been put in place at all four venue clusters, covering 22 disciplines in 14 sports.

"There will be no respite in our attempts to achieve doping-free games, and we will continue to work with all the relevant stakeholders at local, regional and international levels to ensure we are part of a systematic and coordinated global process," Jegathesan adds.

Host country Vietnam continues to lead the medal table with 101 medals total, 35 being gold. Thailand, host of the 2014 Beach Games, is following close behind with 74 medals. China is third with 43 medals total and 11 gold. 172 gold medals have been awarded at this year’s games so far.

The games will conclude with the closing ceremony on Oct. 3.

Homepage photo: OCA

Written by Courtney Colquitt

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