Folders |
New Anti-Doping Policy at Indianapolis Monumental MarathonPublished by
Contact: Blake Boldon, Executive Director FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE INDIANAPOLIS MONUMENTAL MARATHON TAKES STAND AGAINST DOPING April 16, 2015– In an effort to maintain an environment that ensures fair competition and clean sport, the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon (IMM) will enact a new anti-doping policy effective Friday, April 17, 2015. The policy takes aim at systematic doping and takes a strong stance on agents with a record of representing athletes who are currently or who have previously served drug bans. In addition, the IMM will work to actively prevent further infractions; all entrants in the elite field will be subject to random drug testing, beginning in 2015. The full policy is as follows: To be eligible for elite entry or prize purse at any Monumental Event, an athlete must: · Not be currently serving a suspension for use of a banned substance · Not have ever served a ban for use of performance enhancing drugs · Not be represented by coaches and/or agents who have had 2 or more athletes receive such suspensions in the previous 4 years · Not be represented by coaches and/or agents who ever served a ban for use of performance enhancing drugs during their own athletic career · Provide proper documentation proving they are eligible for prize money (form W-9, W-8ECI or W-8BEN) · Consent to random drug testing according to the standards and procedures of USATF, USADA and WADA This policy is a unique take on anti-doping because it includes agents who represent athletes with suspensions, a stance not previously taken by road racing organizations. "Events our size struggle to balance between offering notable prize money and covering the expense of thorough drug testing,” says Blake Boldon, Executive Director, “We're ramping up our efforts but we're taking an extra step toward a drug free sport. Effective today we are no longer dealing with coaches and athlete representatives who have demonstrated a pattern of benefiting by supporting cheaters or who have ever cheated themselves." The women’s elite field at the 2014 IMM was the 7th most competitive in United States (Runnersworld.com). The event is a common destination for athletes chasing Olympic Trials standards, and had 8 do so last year between the half and full marathon. Elite Athlete Coordinator, Matt Ebersole states that the IMM, “strives to be a bridge between the support of the collegiate system and the financially viable career path of the very top elite distance runners. We believe that maintaining integrity in our event allows us to support a group of ambitious and deserving athletes, creating a ripple that pushes those that make their way to World Championship and Olympic teams to be better and more competitive on a global scale.” Ed Torres, Chair of USATF’s Men’s Long Distance Running committee, said of the new policy, “Our sport has many moving parts and as such it is hard to keep everything in check. It is up to each individual in our sport to hold themselves accountable for their actions. With our current system this is the way it's been. In order to clean our sport a measure of holding not only the individual accountable for their actions but also reprimanding the representative with multiple offenses is a must to keep our sport in check. I think this step is in the right direction for our future of our sport to have a level playing field.” The policy will be in effect for all Monumental Events, beginning with the Monumental Mile on June 4, 2015.
### |
