Who are you calling a cheat? (Guest Blog)

Guest blog by Dr Michele Verroken, Founding Director, Sporting Integrity

“Who are you calling a cheat?” Ask this question and open up Pandora’s Anti-Doping box in the rapidly changing world of anti-doping drama and imminent planned regulatory changes. This last year alone has seen unprecedented increases in the numbers of high-profile cases involving elite athletes in the UK and across the world, leading to London 2012 being labelled the ‘dirtiest Games in history’. We have seen the Russian Olympic debate unfurl, we have seen the innocent, and the not-so innocent, suspected of using prohibited substances. Are you ready to tackle what lies ahead? Do you understand what may lie ahead? Would you like to know what’s going on?

On 28th June, in London, we have gathered a faculty of experts, led by myself, to provide an update on the medico-legal aspects of Anti-Doping.

The programme has four threads during the day providing plenty of opportunity to ask questions and hear expert viewpoint, in particular from athletes themselves.

We will explore the expected revisions in the WADA code, now in its third phase with a final draft planned for this year. Revisions that impact on the medical governance will be the specific focus. We will hear expert legal insights into the risks in medicine and Anti-Doping, and examine where mistakes have been made and identify what is needed to avoid costly mistakes through lack of administration or practical organisation.

There is an important Duty of Care for athletes and anti-doping regulations and procedures are paramount in providing assurance in the current heated environment. Duties of doctors and their athlete patients, welfare in disciplinary proceedings will round up this exciting day. If you feel that you need to hear more on Duty of Care in anti-doping procedures then this forum is for you.

Our debate at the meeting is entitled “This house believes that doctors in sport should do no harm – but they do!” We have two elite athletes leading this debate and they will be interviewed by a leading Psychologist – be part of the debate and exchange views with the house.

The meeting will be held under Chatham House rules creating a trusting environment for open and frank discussion. No social media coverage or external debate will be permitted. This is a chance to learn, debate, air your views and network with your specialist colleagues in sports medicine.

“Who are you calling a cheat?” – don’t assume you have the answer.

Visit the MedEduCare website for the current programme and a link to booking forms for the meeting. We have a maximum number of 70 places at the meeting so early booking is recommended.

Presenters include:

• Mr John Amaechi, former NBA player now Psychologist, including interviews with athletes
• Mr Richard Booth QC, Head of Chambers, Crown Office Row
• Ms Joanne Calvino, Athlete, Founding Member Global Athletes
• Dr Rob Dawson, Medical Director of (North East Council on Addiction), UKAD TUE review panel member
• Mr Ali Jawad, Athlete, Founding Member Global Athletes
• Professor Richard McLaren, McKenzie Lake Lawyers
• Mr Mike Morgan, founding partner of Morgan Sports Law LLP
• Ms Mary O’Rourke QC, Leading Barrister specialising in professional discipline and related employment issues principally on behalf of healthcare professionals
• Ms Kate Steele, Partner in the Regulatory Team at Capsticks Solicitors LLP
• Dr Michele Verroken, Sporting Integrity, Meeting Organiser
• Mr Stephen Watkins, RFU Anti-Doping/Illicit Drugs Programme Manager
• Dr Richard Weiler, CMO FA for Para Football and Futsal, MO at West Ham United
• Mr Nick Wojek, UKAD Head of Science and Medicine

Dr Michele Verroken LLM (Sports Law) MA (Ed) BEd Hons Cert Ed Hon DEd is Founding Director of Sporting Integrity, the international sports consultancy specialising in integrity and governance advancement in sport. Clients include Commonwealth Games Federation, Sport Accord, International and National Sports Federations, Professional Sports (Golf, Mixed Martial Arts, ESports), as well as athletes, medical, media and law professionals. Initially a teacher and lecturer in human and sports sciences before taking a management role at The Sports Council in 1987, later UK Sport. Her first assignment with Sports Minister Colin Moynihan and Sebastian Coe was to create the UK’s first Independent Anti-Doping Programme. As Director of Ethics and Anti-Doping, Michele achieved a number of other firsts (ISO certified procedures for Anti-Doping, Illicit/Recreational drugs programme, Drug Information Database and whistleblowing line). Michele is a member of several sports arbitration panels and visiting lecturer in Sports Ethics for several university MSc courses.