I know random drugs tests are common among athletes and footballers, but I was surprised to learn that immediately after the end of this years World Angling Championships in Portugal the first three, winner Walter Tamas from Hungary, second-placed Ivan Biordi from San Marino and our own Sean Ashby, were all tested.
In fact at first Ashby thought it was a wind-up until he was led into a room full of testing equipment.
Apparently, the decision was made at an International Committee (FIPS) meeting last December for to get angling recognised as a proper sport they have to make sure everyone plays by the same rules.
The test is identical to one carried out at the Olympics, but at the moment only international events such as the World, European and World Club Championships will have the test.
Nevertheless, the National Federation of Anglers anticipates that the tests will become commonplace in this country at such events as national championships and at the big sponsored events such as Fish O'Mania and White Acres.
I have often sat on the bank smelling a sweet smell coming from anglers puffing on large joints on upwind pegs - now we find that these people have been getting an unfair advantage!
Apparently the NFA has had to sign on for the anti-doping agreement as it receives funding from Sport England. The only problem it has would be people failing to test because of medication such as inhalers.
I am rather intrigued by these tests for as I understand they are usually carried out to detect performance-enhancing drugs, so by their reasoning what drug enables you to catch more fish?
In fact at first Ashby thought it was a wind-up until he was led into a room full of testing equipment.
Apparently, the decision was made at an International Committee (FIPS) meeting last December for to get angling recognised as a proper sport they have to make sure everyone plays by the same rules.
The test is identical to one carried out at the Olympics, but at the moment only international events such as the World, European and World Club Championships will have the test.
Nevertheless, the National Federation of Anglers anticipates that the tests will become commonplace in this country at such events as national championships and at the big sponsored events such as Fish O'Mania and White Acres.
I have often sat on the bank smelling a sweet smell coming from anglers puffing on large joints on upwind pegs - now we find that these people have been getting an unfair advantage!
Apparently the NFA has had to sign on for the anti-doping agreement as it receives funding from Sport England. The only problem it has would be people failing to test because of medication such as inhalers.
I am rather intrigued by these tests for as I understand they are usually carried out to detect performance-enhancing drugs, so by their reasoning what drug enables you to catch more fish?
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