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MUSHING U.S.A. APPOINTS ANTI-DOPING COMMITTEE

February 20, 2010
Editor and/or Contributors

Press ReleaseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact:Sara Vanderwood, President65 French RoadOxford, METel: +1-207-539-9685Email: pulka4u@yahoo.comFebruary 9, 2010Mushing USA Appoints Anti-Doping CommitteeOxford, Maine – Mushing USA, the national governing body of sled dog sports in the USA, has appointed three members to its Anti-Doping Committee. Previously appointed as chairperson was Sally Bair, the Secretary General of the International Federation of Sleddog Sports (IFSS) and member of MUSA’s Board of Directors. Serving with Bair will be Jerry Vanek, Donna Davis, and Diane Locotos Stewart. Donna Davis is a pharmacist (Duluth, MN) who is also a musher. Jerry Vanek (Angus, MN) is a former musher. Also a veterinarian for such major sled dog races as the Iditarod, he is certified by the ISDVMA – International Sled Dog Veterinary Medical Association. Diane Locotos Stewart (Ipswich, MA) is a chemist and musher. All are very qualified persons with impressive résumés.Each national sports federation is required by the mandates of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to set up its own anti-doping committee. Presently, the work of the Mushing USA committee is only minimal, primarily in the sphere of keeping abreast of any new developments in the world of doping control for both people and dogs. It is required to provide all Mushing USA athletes with anti-doping education so that they know their rights and responsibilities with regard to doping control and the principles of the Anti-Doping Code. Currently, one of the barriers to more work is the USA Anti-Doping Agency’s hefty price for granting TUEs (Therapeutic Use Exemptions). Dogs do not need TUEs. When the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and WADA can sort out the TUE issues, there will gradually accrue more involvement of MUSA’s Anti-Doping Committee. This will include carrying out and following all the procedures for drug testing in the USA for MUSA-sponsored competitions such as regional or national championships.Mushing USA is pleased to have such an auspicious team on its Anti-Doping Committee.