Interview with Jorge Domínguez Carrión

Today we are talking about one of the most important aspects of sports – Anti-Doping. Our guest is the Anti-Doping Test Coordinator in Professional Worldwide Controls – Jorge Domínguez Carrión (Linkedin).

– Hello, Jorge! Could you tell us about your background?

– Good evening! First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for being part of this interview. 

Regarding my educational and professional background, I would start by saying that I studied at university in Madrid, to be allowed to teach Physical Education in Primary Education schools. Then, I realised that English was very important for professional my future, so I had to decide to study a Masters Degree in Bilingual Education (English/Spanish) and move abroad to UK to be well prepared in English as a second language. Additionally, I was also working in the Rolls-Royce office in Bristol (UK), which was a very relevant experience for my future when I came back to Madrid.

Once this period was finished, I begin to work at Professional Worldwide Controls (PWC). It was a very interesting opportunity for me, as I finally was working in the sports business. 

First, I was initially contracted to carry out some administrative tasks, but finally, I had the chance to increase my responsibilities. During all this time, working as a Test Coordinator in PWC, I have tried to improve my skills and get more knowledge, and this is thanks to the owners, managers and colleagues of this company.

For that reason, I decided to keep on learning and studying. Then, I took part of the Sports Business Administration in Sports Management Degree (Centro de Estudios Garrigues), which was combined with my recent job and two Online Masters Degrees in Business Administration & Digital Marketing (Escuela de Negocios Europea de Barcelona).

As a summary, I could finally find my place in this company, where I can put into practice all my experience and knowledge related to sports, education, marketing and management.

– What is Professional Worldwide Controls (PWC, https://pwc-gmbh.de/)?

– Founded in 1994 by Dr. med. Helmut Pabst, PWC established itself as one of the most respected and trusted independent companies for anti-doping controls around the world. 

Collecting urine and blood samples around the globe is the primary service provided by PWC and a huge number of Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) and international sports organizations appreciate PWC’s unique combination of high-quality standards and versatility on its service.

In addition, PWC offers different services related to the anti-doping activity, which are the following: Doping Controls (In-Competition & Out-of-Competition), Paperless solutions (MODOC, https://pwc-modoc.com/), Consulting (Development and implementation of Testing Programs), and Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) assessment.

– Please, describe your work at PWC. 

– My work in PWC can be described as a combination of different tasks and responsibilities, highlighting the Coordination of a network of Doping Control Officers (DCOs) in Spain; Planning of anti-doping urine and blood sample collection testing on different professional sports activities at national and international level; Management and organization of anti-doping controls, both 'In Competition' (IC) and 'Out of Competition' (OOC); Assignment of doping controls to the different Doping Control Officers (DCOs), including results management; and related administration and documentation management functions.

However, due to the importance on contributing as much as possible to the development of PWC, I also carry out the following activities: Recruitment and training of Doping Control Officers (DCOs) in sample collection protocols and management of Anti-Doping testing related to professional sports and athletes; Training of Doping Control Officers (DCOs) in performing paperless Doping Controls for OOC (Out-Of-Competition) and IC (In-Competition) missions on electronic devices (iPad/Tablet/Smartphone) and other tasks related to Social Networks, SEO and company webpage.

– Why did you choose the anti-doping area?

– To be honest, I think it was on the other way round. I didn’t choose the anti-doping area itself, but I was randomly chosen by this sports business somehow. I guess it was due to my knowledge and background in Sports and some other areas which were the key to be selected in the end.

Once inside, and having learned a lot during the last few years, I can confirm that I perfectly fit with PWC values and the anti-doping field in general.

– What do you like most about your work? Could you tell me about the most interesting case in your career?

– What I like the most about my work is the company atmosphere and the progress I have seen during the last few years. It is never boring to plan doping controls, share ideas to be more effective, or even send some proposals to be better every day and contribute efficiently with the development of PWC.

But of course, the feeling of traveling abroad to work in a different environment and other cultures, it is a really nice experience which I wouldn’t like to lose at any time for the rest of my life.

– Jorge, you are graduated at Centro de Estudios Garrigues. Please, share your experience.

– My experience at Centro de Estudios Garrigues was great, as I had the opportunity to learn from really great professionals from the sports business. Being part of this amazing institution was a step forward for me and I would repeat this experience without any doubt. 

In fact, so much so that last year I had the privilege to take part as a lecturer of the MBA in Sports Business & Law (Anti-Doping) at Centro de Estudios Garrigues & LaLiga Business School.

– Which books exist in your professional must-read list?

– I really enjoy reading all World Anti-Doping Agency official rules and Regulations documents, as well as any news about sports and anti-doping, but if I had to choose one book, it would be ‘Régimen jurídico de la lucha contra el dopaje en España’. It really gives very useful and interesting information about the World Anti-Doping Agency and the current and historical anti-doping situation in Spain.

– What advice would you share with our readers and young sports lawyers?

– My advice would be to be always constant. No matter when or what you are doing, studying or working, don’t stop doing it, just be patient, passionate, and constant in all your efforts, and one day you will succeed.

– We would like to express appreciation for answering the questions. We wish you to score major successes in the future!

– Thank you once again and greetings from Spain!