Be Wary of Contaminated Meat, IPC Warns Athletes Ahead of Parapans

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has echoed earlier comments made by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) for athletes attending the 2011 Parapan American Games in regards to eating meat.

Organizers of the Games, which take place in Guadalajara between 12-20 November 2011, have taken steps to ensure that the meat available to athletes at the Games is not contaminated and does not include Clenbuterol, a prohibited substance on the WADA Prohibited List.

Ahead of the Games, the IPC is advising athletes to exercise extreme caution with regards to what they eat and where they eat.

Vanessa Webb, the IPC’s Anti-Doping Manager, said: “The Organizers are working very closely with the Mexican government to ensure the food available to athletes at the Parapan American Games is clean.

“Therefore if the organizers are going to great lengths to ensure the food is clean, athletes should also go to great lengths to ensure that they are not putting themselves at risk by eating in places where the meat may be contaminated. They should follow the advice given to them by organizers.”

This advice includes only eat at cafeterias, or food, designated safe by event organizers and where possible eat in large groups when eating outside of the Athlete Village or Games venues.

Vanessa Webb added: “As with all of our events, we want the 2011 Parapan American Games to be a clean Games. Having athletes know about the risks that exist and preparing themselves accordingly is a step towards achieving that goal.”

WADA will have an outreach booth set up in the Parapan American Village where athletes are encouraged to visit and ask the experts their anti-doping questions.

Blood and urine doping control tests will take place in Guadalajara both before and during the event.