Versapak Doping Control Ltd. hosted its first ever Media Morning on Monday 14th October. The event offered the media, clients and representatives of the clean sport community the opportunity to learn more about Versapak’s growing doping control business and see first-hand Versapak’s new Red Dot Award-winning, tamper-evident doping control kit.
Hosted by Versapak’s new Managing Director, Caroline Atkinson, participants were also provided with a walk-through of the production process in the Versapak ‘Clean Room’. Here, guests were able to get a closer understanding of how the organisation’s 1,000-plus weekly volume of doping control kit is assembled before it is flown to National Anti-Doping Organisations and International Sports Federations across the world.
Speaking to participants immediately following his return from competition in Tokyo, Rio 2016 Para-Powerlifter Silver Medalist, Ali Jawad, gave a captivating talk of his personal journey into para-sport and anti-doping. Jawad, a member of Team GB who is aiming to compete at the Paralympic Games next year, spoke movingly of how he overcame adversity to compete at the highest level of sport. As Athlete Ambassador for Versapak, he spoke of his passion for clean sport and how he came to be one of the leading lights worldwide in speaking for greater athlete rights and representation. “There are more athletes speaking up for positive change than ever before,” said Jawad. “There is momentum with athletes that want to have a real impact in the anti-doping movement, whether it be improving the system where it needs improving or ensuring that the athletes have a representative voice at the WADA Foundation Board in the years to come,” he added.
Concluding the Media Morning, participants took part in a Clean Sport Debate, which focused on what doping control manufacturers can do to restore trust to sport following recent doping crises, the growing surge in the athlete voice and future testing techniques such as genetic sequencing. Of particular interest was the discussion around athlete choice of doping control kit, with participants agreeing that one proposition to help grow athlete trust, and reduce the risk of manipulation of the anti-doping process, would be for athletes to have the option of choosing kit between the five brands of doping control manufacturers currently on the market.
“Our first Media Morning was a huge success, and we were delighted to welcome members of the clean sport community through our doors so they could get to know Versapak better, and the part we are playing to restore trust to clean sport following a challenging era for sport,” said Versapak Managing Director, Caroline Atkinson. “It was clear from the points of view I heard that there is a great deal doping control manufacturers such as Verspak can do to restore faith in a level playing field. That’s why we are committed to continuing to be a pioneer for the very best kit on the market.”