Introduction to Anti-Doping in the UK Background Doping in sport undermines the integrity and values of sport. It violates the values of fairness, camaraderie and the ethos of sporting endeavour. The act of doping specifically refers to the use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method in an attempt to enhance sporting performance unfairly. In the Code, doping is defined as the occurrence of one or more of the Anti-Doping Rule Violations set out in Article 2. Anti-doping, therefore, is the bid to eliminate sport of doping. Sporting authorities, such as UK Sport are working to eradicate doping in sport, and are committed to ensuring that sportsmen and women are competing and winning fairly. World Anti-Doping Agency The fight against doping in sport has been harmonised through the establishment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in 1999. WADA acts to promote, co-ordinate and monitor the fight against doping in sport in all its forms. World Anti-Doping Code A major breakthrough in the fight against doping in sport came in March 2003 with the publication of the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). The Code, revised in 2009, aims to harmonise regulations regarding anti-doping across all sports and countries of the world, providing a framework for anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport organisations and among public authorities. From Olympians and Paralympians through to professional sports players, all Athletes across all sports are bound by the requirements of the Code as a condition of their participation in sport. The Code also applies to individuals who support and guide Athletes. Athlete Support Personnel such as coaches, medical personnel and team managers are bound by the Code by virtue of their involvement in sports organisations and sports events subject to the rules of the Code.
The Code is supported by five International Standards that ensure a uniformed approach to Anti-Doping Organisations around the world. The International Standards mean that an Athlete can have confidence that their rights will be upheld through a consistent and uniform approach to anti-doping policies and procedures. International Standards The Prohibited List Identifies substances and methods that are prohibited In-Competition, Out-ofCompetition, and in particular sports. The Prohibited List is reviewed every year and Athletes need to keep up-to-date on its content. International Standard for Testing Ensures that policies and procedures for testing Athletes are consistent and maintain the integrity of Samples from notification through to transporting Samples for analysis. International Standard for Laboratories Ensures that Samples collected as part of Doping Control are treated in a way that protects their integrity. This is achieved by robust quality assurance standards and uniform reporting of results from all WADA Accredited Laboratories. International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemption Athletes, like all others, may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an Athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition is included on the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption gives that Athlete permission to use that substance.
International Standard for the Protection of Privacy Ensures that the information held on Athletes by Anti-Doping Organisations such as UK Sport and International Federations (IF) maintains the privacy of the individual and adheres to data protection laws. Strict Liability Strict liability is a fundamental principle of the Code. As an Athlete, you would be held personally responsible for any Prohibited Substance found in your system, regardless of how it got there. UK Sport: The National Anti-Doping Organisation As the country’s National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO), UK Sport is responsible for upholding and implementing the principles of the Code. It achieves this through the UK Anti-Doping Rules that detail specific aspects of the Anti-Doping Programme including testing, Anti-Doping Rule Violations, Sanctions and Appeals. The 2009 Code ensures greater harmonisation across sports and this is reflected in the UK Anti-Doping Rules. Sport Specific Rules All funded National Governing Bodies of sport (NGBs) in the UK are required to adopt the UK Anti-Doping Rules into their own rules and regulations. NGB rules will also be based on the rules set by their International Federation (IF). NGBs should provide you with access to your sport’s anti-doping rules either in hard copy or by publishing them on their website.
TAKE NOTE NOT KNOWING THE RULES COULD COST YOU YOUR CAREER...