ANTI-DOPING PROFESSIONALS TO JOIN THE CELL C TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

The much anticipated inaugural Tour of South Africa and international professional cycle race sponsored by Cell C takes place from 19 February to 26 February 2011 with chosen routes that showcase the heritage and beauty of South Africa.  The race is an 8-day, 7-stage 2.2 Category cycling event which starts in Gauteng at Menlyn Park, Pretoria and finishes in Paarl with 120 cyclists riding over 1200km in total.
 
Currently the Director for High Performance Cycling Service at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa, Dr Jeroen Swart, also a member of the Anti-Doping organisation Drug Free Sport will join the organisers as part of the core team, as the race doctor.  Swart divides his time between research and clinical sports medicine.
 
As an international cycling event, with international support and participation and community involvement along the route, one of the other important components that could not be overlooked is the involvement of the UCI and the Anti-doping Agency, Drug Free Sport.   In a sport aiming to become drug free, having the presence and support of the Anti-doping agency is of utmost significance.
 
“Anti doping is a vital part of all sporting codes and ads value in the sense that it increases the credibility of the tour and the results and ensures that riders are participating on a professional and fair level. The Cell C Tour of South Africa is a very high profile event” says Dr. Jeroen Swart.
 
Apart from being a member of the anti-doping review commission, Dr. Jeroen Swart will perform the duty of race doctor for The Cell C Tour of South Africa 2011 event.   He plays a significant role in that he examines the results of participants in the race and observes during the doping procedure on behalf of the tour organisers.
 
Furthermore, he will look after the health of the participants during the race period and if injury occurs or medical complaints come up he can treat the athlete and either disallow or continue participation. He also has the ability in conjunction with the team doctor to withdraw the athlete because other competitors participating can be affected.

Anti-doping promotes participation in sport, free from the use of prohibited substances or methods intended to artificially enhance performance, thereby rendering impermissible doping practices which are contrary to the principles of fair play and medical ethics, in the interest of the health and well-being of sportspersons.

Swart is a sports physician and exercise physiologist at the Sports Science Institute in Newlands, Cape Town. In addition to an undergraduate medical degree, he has a Masters Degree in Sports Medicine and is completing a PhD in exercise physiology. He is a former professional mountain biker and has won various cycling competitions and held the National Championship title six times between the periods of 2005 – 2008.

The Cell C Tour of South Africa will cover the Gauteng, Eastern and Western Cape Provinces, showcasing some of South Africa’s heritage sights.

“As one of the fastest growing sports in the world and being in its inaugural year, The Cell C Tour of South Africa has attracted a number of highly ranked local and international teams – it’s an honour to be a part of the team” he concludes