Doping, doping controls and Dr. Pellikaan's coffin

Frisian GP Frans Pellikaan was a pioneer in the field of doping controls. For years, as a doping doctor for the KNSB, he checked the winners of major skating competitions. After the 1985 European Championships, which were successful for the Netherlands, one of his boxes of urine samples mysteriously disappeared.

The Fries Scheepvaart Museum has recently been allowed to include one of Pellikaan's boxes in its ice collection. Reason enough to ask emeritus professor and former speed skater Harm Kuipers for a lecture. He was a member of the ISU medical committee for many years, and as such closely involved in doping controls.

In his lecture, Kuipers will explain, among other things, how doping works: can anyone become a top athlete with the right drug? He will also explain how doping checks take place nowadays and how they used to be done. Of course, he will also share great anecdotes, which will bring Pellikaan's box to the surface.

Good to know

Harm Kuipers' lecture is on Wednesday evening, November 19, in the Hearing Room of the Fries Scheepvaart Museum. Start 19.30 hrs, walk-in from 19.00 hrs. Entrance €7.50 (incl. a cup of coffee/tea) or free with a voucher from the Open Museum Month. Admission is also free for members of the Fries Scheepvaart Museum Association and museum card holders. Please register in advance at balie@friesscheepvaartmuseum.nl.