It’s been an intense 48 hours for Volley Prata following the National Anti-Doping Tribunal’s announcement of the precautionary suspension of Simone Scopelliti and Kristian Gamba. President Maurizio Vecchies is trying to clarify the situation.
President, can you comment on the social media and media reports regarding the suspension of the two players, Kristian Gamba and Simone Scopelliti?
“Less than 48 hours ago, the club was notified of the precautionary suspension of the two players by the National Anti-Doping Tribunal. I won’t deny that for the club, but especially personally, this was a bolt from the blue. For a club that has been in the world of sports for almost 60 years, and of which I have been President for 8 years, recognized in the volleyball world as a serious club with rigorous ethical behavior, this news certainly left us stunned.”
What significance do you place on this decision?
I would like to point out that we are awaiting the results of the counter-analysis. In any case, the club immediately expressed and confirms its full willingness to collaborate with NADO Italia and the Federation. For years, our club has had an organization that prioritizes monitoring athletes’ behavior, with the help of coaches, staff, volunteers, and, above all, the many parents who are always present at training sessions and various events.
Among other things, our team boasts professionals such as Dr. Valter Durigon, an athletic trainer who is always at the forefront of the fight against doping, and Professor Carlo Carra, who performs regular bioimpedance assessments and dynamic analysis of the autonomic nervous system.
With the advent of the sports reform, the club has also fully adhered to the Safeguarding policies, which require an organizational and control model and a code of conduct, and has appointed a dedicated Safeguarding Manager, who carries out prevention work, informs members, and collects reports of inappropriate or suspicious behavior.
