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SADoCoL staff members off to the Olympic and Paralympic Games

18 June 2024 | Story André Damons | Photo Suplied

Two staff members from the South African Doping Control Laboratory (SADoCoL) which is housed at the University of the Free State (UFS), have been selected to work at the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games, in Paris, France.

Elandré Williams and Betsie Human will support the Paris laboratory during both games. The Olympic Games will take place from 26 July to 11 August 2024 and the Paralympic Games from 28 August to 8 September 2024.

Williams will be involved in steroid profile analysis, which includes sample preparation, analysis and data processing by Gas Chromatography (GC) and Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (GC-C-IRMS).

Part of the fight against doping

“I am excited, optimistic and privileged to have been given this opportunity, but I have to say that I am also quite nervous as this is most probably the biggest sporting event of the year. Being a part of the fight against doping in sport remains a great responsibility as what we do directly impacts the athletes,” says Williams.

She says is looking forward to the entire experience, from doing what she loves on an international level, meeting other analysts in the field and being part of the fight against doping in sport on an Olympic level.

This is her first big international sporting event.

“I am also looking forward to learning from other experts in the field who have more experience and to witness the procedures and the manner in which the laboratory operates at this time where the sample numbers are extremely high with the added pressure to finalise results in short turn-around times. This is a great opportunity for growth, both individually and in my field of expertise, in the scientific and the doping control field.

“It will definitely be an advantage for me as an analyst to get exposure to how the entire analytical procedure is executed in another laboratory, as well as insight into possible new techniques and advancements that I will be able to apply back at SADoCoL. I also think this is a great way to improve my ideas, perspectives and level of expertise as I will be working and witnessing other scientific experts in the doping control field.”

Managing workflow and logistics at the Games

Human, who was an analyst at the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa, says she is both nervous and excited for this experience.

“I was a junior analyst at SADoCoL during the 2010 Soccer World Cup, but you cannot compare a single-sport discipline with a multisport discipline like the Olympic Games – The Games will be exponentially bigger.

“In the past 14 years doping control as a whole has grown significantly. New technologies, updated requirements, more sensitive testing methods have emerged – this will be a new experience,” says Human.

She will also be involved with sample preparation/analysis/data processing and says she is looking forward to seeing how the work-flow and logistics associated with the Games (massive amounts of samples/tight deadlines etc) is managed in a high through-put laboratory.

“I am of course also looking forward to meeting analysts from other labs – we are a bit secluded here at the southern tip of Africa. Collaboration between labs is tricky when your closest neighbour is in Europe.

“It is always eye-opening to see how other labs manage similar situations (even though an Olympics is quite different from normal routine days) – exposure to new techniques and alternative thinking has a way of elevating your own thought processes and it promotes growth – both as an individual and as a doping control analyst.”

Immensely proud

Hanno du Preez, Director of SADoCoL, says the laboratory personnel are immensely proud that two of their staff members were chosen to participate in this international event, which for many scientists is the peak of their career. Similarly, this provides acknowledgement to the staff members for the area in which they have been working.

“It is only a select few who are requested to provide service at the Olympic Games. The work conducted in an Olympic laboratory provides experience which cannot be gained elsewhere. The workload and fast-paced analysis is something which the personnel are used to, but the Olympics will bring a different dimension to the processes.

“We are excited to see what Betsie and Elandré bring back, with regards to new viewpoints on processes which are similar in all anti-doping laboratories. Individual experiences uplift everyone in a regulated business unit such as SADoCoL and also ensures improved relationships between laboratories, as other anti-doping laboratories will be represented at the Games as well. We wish them all the best for the experience, and we thank them for being dedicated ambassadors for SADoCoL and the UFS.”

News Archive

UFS Centenary 2004 / 2005 October (centenary) fest Activities

2004-10-08

Friday, 08 October 2004
17:00 – 24:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Rock Concert
With: Rooibaardt, Karen Zoid, The Narrow, F****polisiekar, Stuurbaard Bakkebaard (from the Netherlands), DJ Bob, Ready D, Neva Me.
Cost : R50-00
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Sunday, 10 October 2004
16:00 – 18:00
Callie Human Centre, UFS
Macufe Three Tenors Concert
With: Phillip Kotze, Chris Coetzer and Du Preez Stolz, as well as Angela Kerrison. Free State Symphony Orchestra conducted by Chris Dowdeswell.
Cost :R60-00 (adults), R40-00 (children, scholars, students and pensioners)
Bookings : Pacofs (051-447 7772)

Tuesday, 12 October 2004
11:00 – 15:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Inauguration of Centenary Complex
Open day with a variety of musical recitals in different rooms
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 – 17:00
Parking area next to the Centenary Complex, UFS
Kovsie Mosaic Day
Collage of the Century, Dance to the beat, Cultural Cartoon,
Who’s line is it anyway?
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819) or
AC Geldenhuys (084 585 3338)

Wednesday, 13 October 2004
19:00
Centenary Complex, UFS
Première of documentary film : The Life and Legacy of King Moshoeshoe
Note : By invitation only
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Thursday, 14 October 2004
18:45 – 21:00
Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Centenary Honorary Doctorate Degree Graduation Ceremony
Conferred on: Me. Antjie Krog, Prof. Jakes Gerwel, Mr. Karel Schoeman, Dr. Frederick van Zyl Slabbert, Prof. Saleem Badat, Dr. Khotso Mokhele, Prof. Robert Bringle, Prof. Leo Quayle, Prof. Jack de Wet, Prof. Kerneels Nel (posthumously), Prof. Boelie Wessels and Prof. Jaap Steyn .
Cost : Free. Please RSVP if you would like to attend.
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Friday, 15 October 2004
18:30
Centenary Complex, UFS
Alumni Dinner and Centenary Award Ceremony
Approximately 140 centenary medals will be awarded in acknowledgement of exceptional contributions to the development of the University. The award ceremony is followed by the Alumni dinner in the Callie Human Centre.
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

15:00 (to 12:00, Saturday, 16 October 2004),
UFS campus
Reunion : Momentum Adventure and Expedition Association
Including : Setting up of the Kovsie Momentum base camp, champagne breakfast and abseiling.
Cost : R50-00/person for breakfast
Enquiries : Gerrit van der Merwe (072 4317 153) or
Niel Fraser (082 772 5642)
Website : www.uovs.ac.za/associations/momentum_hrcc.

19:00 (to 11:00 Sunday, 17 October 2004)
Reunion : Cantare Revue Group
Including : Formal dinner, budget show, bring and braai, church service.
Cost : R100-00/person for the dinner
Enquiries : Louis Botha (051-401 2819)

19:00 (to 24:00 Saturday, 16 October 2004
Reunion : House NJ van der Merwe
Including : Senior Student’s Association and concerts
Cost : R5-00/person
Enquiries : Tutu Ntlathi (051-401 4122 / 072 865 2227)

Saturday, 16 October 2004
09:00 – 10:00
Committee Room 120, Faculty of Theology
Founding of Theology Alumni Association
Enquiries: Henna Nel (051-401 2669)

10:00 – 12:00
Parking area, CR Swart Building, UFS
Alumni Campus Tour
Including : Visits to the new physical developments on campus
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Jeanette Jansen (051-401 3594)

10:00 – 12:00
Sonnedou gazellie (next to NJ van der Merwe Residence), UFS
Reunion : Ladies’ Tea
Visit our new gazellie and find out what Sonnedou is up to these days.
Cost : R25-00/person
Enquiries : Anne-Marie Delport (072 109 0507)

12:00 – 16:00
JBM Hertzog Residence (garden in front of Senior Student’s Association), UFS
Reunion : Braai
Cost : Approximately R20-00/person
Enquiries : Hattingh Bornman (084 240 5226)

12:00 Vergeet-my-nie Residence, UFS
Reunion : Braai
Bring and braai. We supply the facilities. Bring old photographs and stories. Enjoy Aunt Juls’ last visit.
Cost : Free
Enquiries : Mari Jordaan (051-444 2832/072 392 4444)

12:00 HF Verwoerd Residence Senior Student’s Association, UFS
Reunion : Spit roast
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Jan-Chris Landman (051-401 3613 / 082 664 6062)

18:30 Floreat Hall, Bloemfontein Civic Centre (Braam Fisher Building)
Irawa 60 Reunion
For all former editors, former and current main editorial staff and coworkers
Cost : R100-00/person
Enquiries : Sanri van Wyk (072 333 1011)
Elzette Boucher (072 180 6265)

19:00 – 24:00 Red Square (in front of Main Building), UFS
Informal Alumni Reunion
Spit roast and stories in a marquee
Cost : R60-00/person
Enquiries : Elize Rall (051-401 3382)

Sunday, 17 October 2004
10:00 – 11:00
Kovsie Church
Church Service

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