SAN SALVADOR.- The XXIV Central American and Caribbean Games of San Salvador have shown different novelties, but one of the most interesting has been the collection of dried blood samples.

For the first time in the history of the games at the American level, this type of samples are being collected for evaluation purposes and to maintain the athletes’ doping control.

In addition, further testing has been carried out with DCO Central which is the platform used by the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA).

It was reported that some 25 to 35 samples per day have been taking place since the 21st of the current month and about 200 samples have been sent to Cuba for evaluation, in pursuit of maintaining fair play.

“We have complied with the controls required by the Centro Caribe Sports Medical Commission, as well as by WADA.

Dr. Milton Pinedo, member of the Medical and Doping Commission of Centro Caribe Sports, pointed out that they meet every day to take stock and make the work guidelines for each day.

Among the most frequent cases that have been attended are those of fatigue due to dehydration.

The commission is composed of doctors Hans Larsen, from Haiti and president of the Centro Caribe Sports Medical Commission; Eva Villerta, from Honduras; Anita Rivera, from Puerto Rico; Viviana Silva, from Mexico; Ricardo Gutiérrez, from Colombia; Eduardo de la Osa, from Panama; Rafael Morales, from El Salvador; Manuel Villalobos, Paulina de la Losa, from Mexico, and Laura Pinedo, from the Dominican Republic.