Suspension of SA Doping Control Lab Deals Financial Blow to African Anti-Doping Efforts

The South African sporting community has been dealt a significant blow with the suspension of the continent’s only World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)-accredited laboratory. The SA Doping Control Laboratory (SADoCoL), based in Bloemfontein, underwent a suspension effective from March 1, according to a briefing to the portfolio committee on sports, arts, and culture at the National Assembly.

The laboratory, a WADA-accredited institution since 1983 and crucial in the fight against doping in sports, now faces serious financial challenges. The University of the Free State (UFS), which to date has shouldered the financial burden, helps to sustain the laboratory’s operations as it receives no government funding.

Director Hanno du Preez highlighted the strain of the suspension on SADoCoL, which emerged following a WADA site visit that identified several compliance issues. Among the concerns was the absence of a second certifying scientist necessary for conducting critical isotope ratio mass spectrometry analyses, essential for determining the origin of certain steroids.

In light of the suspension, South Africa, along with other African nations, has had no choice but to send urine samples for anti-doping analysis to international labs located in Qatar, Madrid, Belgium, and Germany. This process imposes substantial costs on the countries involved, undermining anti-doping efforts on the continent.

SADoCoL anticipates the re-accreditation assessment audit by WADA’s team, scheduled for the week of January 15-17. This audit will critically assess laboratory processes for compliance with international standards.

Speaking at the same briefing, SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) CEO Khalid Galant offered insight into the prevalence of doping across sports disciplines. He noted that the majority of positive doping results stemmed from athletics and bodybuilding, highlighting ongoing investigations, especially in long-distance running, and an alarming 80% positive rate in bodybuilding tests.

Galant pointed to previous challenges, such as non-compliance issues resolved through legislative changes and the worrying trend of steroids circulating in schools, which SAIDS actively investigates.

The sports community in Africa eagerly awaits the resolution of the SADoCoL’s accreditation issues, as its lack not only financially impacts anti-doping initiatives but also threatens the integrity of sport across the continent.