Rugby Drugs Tests Hit Record Number
The International Rugby Board has revealed that the number of drugs tests conducted by the sport’s governing body reached record levels in 2009.
A programme comprising 1293 tests (360 in competition and 933 out of competition controls) was undertaken throughout the year across men’s and women’s fifteens and rugby sevens competitions.
The extensive in competition and out of competition testing programme operated across rugby sevens (604 tests), Rugby World Cup 2011 qualifiers (415 tests), Age Grade Rugby (176 tests) and other IRB 15-a-side tournaments (86) including the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup and IRB Nations Cup.
Despite the record programme, IRB Anti-Doping rule violations fell from 13 in 2008 to 4 in 2009. That amounts to 0.3% of the total testing regime. Two violations were for Cannabis, one was for the attempted use of a prohibited substance and one for an Anabolic Agent.
The IRB has handed down suspensions to 36 players (one case pending) who committed Anti-Doping Rule Violations during the period 2004 to 2009.
Enhanced education initiatives, which includes the delivery of the Keep Rugby Clean awareness programme, are delivered to over 500 players annually at IRB tournaments.
The IRB also launched a new interactive Anti-Doping website in 2009 aimed at educating and informing the global Rugby family on all aspects of Anti-Doping.
Available in three languages (English, French and Spanish), the new site can be found at www.irbkeeprugbyclean.com and features all the latest Anti-Doping information and news, video and interactive elements as well as information on the IRB’s Keep Rugby Clean ambassadors.
