No drug use detected during South Pacific Mini-Games

No use of illegal drugs was detected during the Pacific Mini-Games held in Rarotonga during September 2009.
“We had a clean Games,” said George Paniani the Cook Islands Representative on the Board of the Oceania Regional Anti-Doping Organisation (RADO) which is based in Fiji when speaking to the Herald on Wednesday morning.
Paniani said he received the advice on the drug tests last Friday from RADO Administrator Natanya Potoi-Ulia.
40 athletes in total were tested (See list) during the events. Some were medal winners and others were selected at random. The urine samples were sent to a lab in Australia accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Paniani said six athletes from Team Cook Islands went through the testing programme from five codes-Athletics, Touch Rugby, Va’a (2 tested), Netball and Weightlifting.
Paniani said CISNOC has now made it compulsory for Cook Islands teams competing overseas to attend drug testing workshops.
He said the drug test results mean the Games can now be successfully put to bed. The drug awareness programme should also be continued for new athletes coming through.
Paniani revealed government and CISNOC had just re-appointed him as the Cook Islands rep on RADO.
Athletes Tested
Athletics 9
Boxing 2
Touch Rugby 2
Vaka (Va’a) 4
Netball 2
Weightlifting 11
Rugby League 2
Rugby Sevens 6
Triathlon 2

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