Anti-Doping I
In addition to publishing Pitt-Alexander’s first-hand account of how he, partner Natalia and three other couples submitted to the routines of a doping control after the Swiss Championship, dancefloor-magazin.ch raised several important points.
“Doping controls are being made in DanceSport since 2003 for Latin, Standard and Rock ‘n’ Roll. The annual reports of the WDSF Anti-Doping Commission reflect ten positive cases in ten years.”
That may seem a small number at first glance. One positive per year – against several thousands of athletes dancing in top-tier competitions around the world every weekend! One could be led to believe that doping is virtually non-existent in DanceSport.
If, on the other hand, the actual number of annual tests carried out by WDSF, National Member Bodies, the World Anti-Doping Agency and the National Anti-Doping Organisations is brought into the equation, the ratio of one-per-year positives is no longer flattering. An average of 100 tests and 1 positive: 1%! While DanceSport’s ratio is better than that of cycling (2005: 3.78% positives) or athletics (2005: 1.67% positives), there is plenty of room for improvement.
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