Medan, 20 September 2024
Starting from September 12th to 18th, 2024 Anti-Doping Campaign activities have been carried out by IADO in the framework of PON XXI, especially in the Northern Sumatra region. IADO conducted Anti-Doping Campaigns around Deli Serdang commenced from the Northern Sumatra Sport Center Athletics Stadium, Sport Center of Veteran, Sport Center of Indoor Volleyball, Martial Arts, PBSI Disporasu, BMX Arena Disporasu, Bowling Building, IMCC, Selayang Swimming Pool Disporasu, and UNIMED. The sports that were successfully educated were Athletics, BMX Bike, Indoor Volleyball, Bowling, Badminton, Drumband, E-Sport, Jujitsu, Karate, and others. This Anti-Doping Campaign was expected to reduce the number of doping cases that occur in PON XXI in the North Sumatra region.
A total of 450 Anti-Doping Campaign participants have been educated regarding 11 anti-doping rules violation, in which there were several things that are emphasized by Anti-Doping Campaign officers, namely, not to refuse if samples will be taken, not to damage the sample, and has to cooperate with the Doping Control Officer (DCO). The participants actively asked about what supplements could be used by athletes. In answering it the officer explained that IADO as the official Anti-Doping organization in Indonesia does not recommend Athletes to use supplements, which does not only concern about contamination, whose substances are banned, which was manufactured at the factory, also because of unknown side effects.
Furthermore, the question that was often asked is the status of caffeine whether it is allowed or not. To answer it, the officer explained that Caffeine since 2005 has not been regarded as a doping substance, but is now included in substances monitored by WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), if used normal caffeine levels that can be accepted by the body are 250 – 400 mg. If it exceeds these limits, it would potentially damage the body. It seems that both athletes and coaches were more aware of the dangers of doping sanctions. They were not only haunted by medals that could be withdrawn if proven doping, but there might also be sanctions which do not allow them to participate in matches / competitions within a certain period of time.