The 31st SEA Games once left a "scratch" in the upward journey of Vietnamese sports when 5 athletes were found to be positive for doping.
That incident not only affected performance, but also rang a warning bell about the risk of doping seeping into the sports environment from accidental lack of knowledge.
These lessons force the sports industry to change dramatically. Many athletes after finishing their 2-year ban have regained their confidence, including Quach Thi Lan and Nguyen Ngoc Phuc. They have corrected their mistakes by practicing and complying with competition standards.
Tight control before the 33rd SEA Games
Preparing for the 33rd SEA Games, doping inspection work has been deployed earlier and more carefully than every year. In November, the Vietnam Center for Doping and Sports Medicine took samples from many key players and sent them to a WADA-standard laboratory in Thailand.
A total of 45 samples were analyzed and the results were forwarded on time to the Organizing Committee. This is a mandatory requirement before each SEA Games, but Vietnam this year has implemented it more strictly to "lock" all risks.
In parallel with testing, the Center organizes many knowledge dissemination sessions at national training centers. Coaches and athletes are instructed to update the ADMAS declaration system and are warned about the list of banned substances updated by WADA every year.
Head of the delegation Nguyen Hong Minh also said: "The Vietnamese sports delegation has requested the teams to commit to strictly managing the use of drugs and supplements by athletes, considering this a priority task in this year's tournament".
Vietnam is also closely following the warnings issued by host Thailand. This year's SEA Games Organizing Committee affirmed that all inspection processes will strictly comply with WADA standards, with the message "No concidence" for all fraud.
Building a standard sports foundation
According to Mr. Le Minh Ha - Director of the Vietnam Center for Doping and Sports Medicine, anti-doping work is not only a sample management but a comprehensive education process. He said that most domestic violations stem from lack of knowledge about the ingredients of functional foods or self-medication without consulting a doctor.
"Doping can bring temporary advantages, but the long-term consequences are affecting health, even life," Mr. Ha emphasized.
Therefore, the Center for Doping and Sports Medicine has developed a long-term plan such as increasing the time for education for athletes and coaches; promoting mass communication; bringing clean sports content to schools; proposing the completion of a doping prevention course before athletes attend a national sports festival or national championship.
Through these synchronous efforts, Vietnamese sports aim at sustainable development goals, not only limited to achievements but also in building a fair, honest and safe competitive environment for all athletes.
