JERSEY’S Island Games athletes have been preparing themselves for the stringent drugs testing that is expected in Aland this year by attending special seminars with a sport science expert.

The first in a series of compulsory sessions, led by drug testing expert David Sutton, were run last weekend at Highlands, and on Tuesday at Fort Regent, to educate the 260 strong team about the issues relating to drugs testing in sport. In particular they were warned about over the counter medicines – some of which can cause positive readings in drugs tests.

Chairman of the Island Games Association of Jersey, Steve Jacobs, said that the seminars were to ensure that all athletes are familiar with the process and what to expect if they are randomly picked for testing. ‘With a change in legislation in January this year, responsibility for being 100 per cent drug free is solely the responsibility of the competitor and we are making sure all the team are fully aware of the issues in a joint effort with Education, Sport and Culture who are funding and facilitating the two-part seminar,’ he said.

Pictured: Jersey’s 260-strong team can expect stringent drug testing in Aland this summer