NEWSLETTER 3 FEBRUARY:
FEARS THAT GENE DOPING IS A REALITY
1) Fears that gene doping is now a reality
2) WADA consults with Sandro Donati on drugs trafficking
3) Shooting at home of critical sports reporter in Guatemala
4) Jack Warner sows confusion about tax on World Cup appearance
5) FIFA overturns Warner's attempt to deny reporter accreditation
6) Changes at Play the Game: Vicki Bjerre gets new job
1) Fears that gene doping is now a reality
Fears that gene doping has become a reality is now emerging in Germany in connection with a courtcase against former athletics coach, Thomas Springstein. In court, the prosecutor read out an email where Springstein asks the doctor for a Dutch speedskating team for advice on how to obtain Repoxygen - a substance which activates a gene that stimulates the body's own EPO production.
2) WADA consults with Sandro Donati on drugs trafficking
WADA wants to step up the fight against drugs trafficking. The World Anti-Doping Agency has therefore held meetings for two days with Sandro Donati who presented his research on drugs trafficking and its links to organised crime at the Play the Game conference 2005.
3) Shooting at home of critical sports reporter in Guatemala
Frustrated local soccer fans may be responsible for the recent armed attack on the home of sports journalist Manuel Gilberto Garcia in Guatemala. Shots were fired at his house but fortunately neither he nor his family were hurt.
4) Jack Warner sows confusion about tax on World Cup appearance
Trinidad Express reporter has now uncovered evidence that FIFA vice president Jack Warner is misleading the public about the amount of money the Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation will receive for appearing in the World Cup. He claims the money is subject to taxation whereas Germany has granted FIFA tax exemption for money paid out to federations participating in the tournament.
5) FIFA overturns Warner's attempt to deny reporter accreditation
In an about-turn, FIFA has granted Trinidad Express reporter Lasana Liburd accreditation to cover the World Cup. It happened after Liburd complained to FIFA about being turned down for accreditation by the local Trinidad & Tobago Football Federation because he wrote a series of articles which incurred the wrath of FIFA vice president Jack Warner.
6) Changes at Play the Game: Vicki Bjerre gets new job
In January 2006 researcher Vicki Bjerre left Play the Game to take up a new position as a high school teacher. Vicki holds university degrees in sport and English and she will be teaching both those subjects at Viby Amtsgymnasium.
At Play the Game, Vicki was responsible for research on a wide range of topics and was also the practical coordinator of the Play the Game conference 2005. We have been very happy to have Vicki with us and wish her the best of luck for the future.
Play the Game is now looking for a new researcher to help us build a website with better facilities for networking.
