An informed athlete is an empowered athlete
Anti-Doping Education plays a pivotal role in promoting the value of ethics and fair play in sport, thereby protecting the true “spirit of the sport”. It is also about informing athletes, coaches and managers about the World Anti-Doping Code, how to compete clean and drug-free, the doping control process, their rights and responsibilities.
Education is especially important amongst younger athletes as they, too often, are lured into using ‘pills and potions’ (from supplements to illicit drugs) that offer quick fixes and false promises of efficacy, often at the cost of harming health, performance and getting banned from sport. While it is important to highlight the negative effects, it is also our duty to promote the use of sound and effective alternatives to support performance as well as the health and well-being of current and future generations of athletes.
EDUCATION ACTIVITIES & RESOURCES
Anti-Doping Workshop, Seminars, Guest Lecturing
Audience: Schools, Athletes / Teams, Coaches, Management, Parents, Health professionals, Tertiary education programmes.
To book an Anti-Doping Talk / Workshop / Guest Lecturing click here
Anti-Doping Outreach
Education / Information booth at tournaments, athletic meets, swimming galas, training camps, sporting event expo’s (e.g. Comrades Marathon) and the like.
To book an Anti-Doping Information Booth at your event click here
PRINCIPLES AND VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH CLEAN SPORTS
The principles and values associated with clean sports are essential to maintain the integrity of sports and to promote fair competition. The World Anti-Doping Code defines education as “the process of learning to instill values and develop behaviors that foster and protect the spirit of sport, and to prevent intentional and unintentional doping” The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body, and mind. It is reflected in the values we find in and through sport, including:
- Health
- Ethics, fair play, and honesty
- Athletes’ rights as set forth in the Code
- Excellence in performance
- Character and education
- Fun and joy
- Teamwork
- Dedication and commitment
- Respect for rules and laws
- Respect for self and other participants
- Courage
- Community and solidarity
NADC is actively fighting against doping in sports and working tirelessly to spread the values and principles of clean sports daily by educating athletes, coaches, support personnel, medical teams, national federations, they deliver a message of health and fair play. As an athlete, you also have a very important role to play in clean sports. First of all, by refusing to dope yourself and also spreading your knowledge of clean sports to others helps keep sports clean. It is also your role to report doping if you are witnessing it: you can help protect an athlete who is taking a prohibited substance as well as your sport by upholding the values of clean sports.
ATHLETES AND ATHLETES SUPPORT PERSONNEL AND OTHER GROUPS RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities of Athletes:
- Athletes will be responsible for whatever that is found in their bodily fluid. Athletes will take responsibility for what they eat and drink and anything that enters their body. The essential rule is this: if it is in your body, you are responsible for it. In legal terms, this is called “strict liability”
- It is the athlete’s responsibility to confirm the status of all medications, and nutritional supplements he/she is using in order to prevent inadvertent use of prohibited substances;
- Athletes should endeavor to seek for medical treatment from qualified medical personnel attached to their Sports Council Clinics as well as their State hospitals;
- Athletes should inform medical personnel of their obligation not to Use Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods and to take responsibility to make sure that any medical treatment received does not constitute an anti-Doping Rules Violation;
- Any athlete who seeks to use any drug under the Prohibited List for genuine medical condition should obtain a Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE) Certificate;
- It is the responsibility of the athletes to provide their whereabouts information
- It is the responsibility of the athlete to make himself/herself available for dope testing when selected or notified; failure or refusal constitutes an anti-doping rule violation, which attracts sanction;
- Ask questions if in doubt from those knowledgeable in anti-doping. Send questions to NADC vis its e-mail address: nadcngr@yahoo.com
Rights of Athletes:
During Sample Collection
- Athletes are entitled to have a representative (Coach, medical personnel or any other official) of their choice present throughout the doping control procedures except during sample collection;
- Before arriving at the Doping Control Station, and with the approval of the Doping Control Officer (DCO) or Chaperone, and under the supervision of an official Chaperone, the athlete may:
- Receive medical attention if necessary
- Attend a victory ceremony/medal presentation
- Compete in further events
- Fulfill media commitments
- Complete a current training session
- The athlete is entitled to designate an attendant to fill in the doping control form if:
- The athlete has difficulty in writing
- The athlete has a learning disability
- The athlete is blind or visually impaired
- Produce appropriate identification
- Remain within direct observation of the DCO/chaperone at all times from the point of notification until the completion of the sample collection process
- Comply with sample collection procedures (failure to do so may constitute an anti-doping rule violation)
The athlete has up to ONE HOUR after notification to report at the Doping Control Station if he/she has to perform any of the above.
Result Management
- Athletes have the right to request the analysis of their sample “B”
- Athletes have the right to fair and appeal hearings
- Athletes have the right to attend the Fair/Appeal Hearing with a representative of their choice i.e. Legal counsel, coach, parent, etc
It is your right and responsibility to:
- Say “NO” to Doping
- Keep your sport clean
- PLAY TRUE 4 NAIJA
THE PRINCIPLE OF STRICT LIABILITY
Strict liability rule
- Athletes are responsible for whatever that is found in their bodily fluid;
- Athletes take responsibility for what they eat and drink and anything that enters their body.;
- The essential rule is this: if it is in your body, you are responsible for it.
- In legal terms, this is called “strict liability”
CONSEQUENCES OF DOPING- PHYSICAL, MENTAL HEALTH, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC EFFECTS AND SANCTIONS
An athlete runs very high risks by consuming doping substances or by using prohibited methods. This may result in very severe health but also sporting, financial, legal and social consequences.
Physical health: depending on the substance, the dosage and the consumption frequency, doping products may have particularly negative side (adverse) effects on health. Some damages to the body are irreversible and as such may lead that the athlete’s life to be in great danger.
Some physical and mental health consequences (adverse effects) are listed below
Anabolic steroids – Adverse effects
- Acne
- Baldness
- Gynaecomastia
- Decreased sperm production, testes size and sex drive
- Increased aggression
- Liver abnormalities
- Hypertension
- Hypercholesterolemia
Peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances – Adverse effects
- Increased blood viscosity
- Myocardial infarction
- Diabetogenic effect
- Acromegaly
- Organomegaly
- Hypoglycaemia
- Gynaecomastia
Beta 2-agonist– Adverse effects
- Tachycardia
- Tremor
- palpitations
Diuretics and other masking agents– Adverse effects
- Electrolyte imbalance
- Dehydration
- Muscle cramps
Stimulants– Adverse effects
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Dizziness
- Euphoria
- Headache
- Nausea/vomitting
- Confusion
- Psychosis
- Hypertension
- Addiction
- Arrthymias
- seizure
Narcotics– Adverse effects
- Nausea/vomitting
- Dizziness
- Respiratory depression
- addiction
Cannabis– Adverse effects
- Impaired psychomotor skills
- Altered perception of time
- Impaired concentration
Glucocorticoidss– Adverse effects
- Cushingoid symptoms
Enhancement of Oxygen Transfer– Adverse effects
- Transfusion reaction
- Increased blood viscosity
Psychological health consequences: some doping substances may not be detrimental to the body but exercise an impact on mental health. It has been scientifically evidenced that anxiety, obsessive disorders or psychosis are direct consequences from doping.
Social consequences: The existence of an athlete who was held guilty for doping may be completely disrupted. Indeed, doping may represent a danger for the health, but it may also be prejudicial to the fame, respect and creditworthiness. Even in the future negative findings are regularly questioned by the media and the entourage. The poor image will remain in the collective unconscious and the athlete could remain isolated.
Financial consequences: As regards high-performance sport, an infringement of anti-doping rules often leads to a loss of income, the reimbursement of prize moneys and of the sponsorship money. An athlete suspended for several years, or even life-banned, cannot earn his/her living as usual and can even be forced into debt to live on a day-to-day basis.
Sporting consequences: A doping violation may mean loss of results, rankings, medals and qualification places at events. It could also have an impact on members of a team causing medals to be lost. An athlete found culpable of any ADRV may be suspended, i.e. he/she may not take part in sport competition or in organized training sessions.
DOPING AND ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATIONS
WHAT IS DOPING?
- Doping in Sports is not only the use of a prohibited (banned) substance
- It is also the breaking of one or more of the 11 Anti-Doping Rules in the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and Nigeria Anti-Doping Rules
- Doping is dangerous to health
- In all, doping is CHEATING!
ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATIONS
Below are the eleven Anti-Doping Rule Violations as stated in Articles 2.1 to 2.11 of the World Anti-Doping Code
- Presence of Prohibited Substances or its Metabolites or Markers- Strict Liability Rule
- Use or Attempted Use of Prohibited Substance And Method
- Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection
- Failure To File Whereabouts And Missed Tests
- Tampering or Attempted Tampering with Doping Control
- Possession of Prohibited Substance or Method
- Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking
- Administration or Attempted Administration
- Complicity
- Prohibited Association
- Acts By An Athlete Or Other Person To Discourage Or Retaliate Against Reporting To Authorities
SUBSTANCES AND METHODS ON THE PROHIBITED LIST
Prohibited List
- It is a booklet produced by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
- It lists substances and methods that are prohibited in sports
- It is updated every year
- Always have a copy of the current edition
- Take a copy of the List with you when going to the doctor
- You can download current copy from WADA website at www.wada-ama.org
TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemptions)
- A TUE permits an athlete who has an illness or medical condition to use a substance or method on the Prohibited List
- Any athlete who may be subject to doping control must request a TUE before taking a prohibited medication
- An application for a TUE must be made at least 30 days before taking part in an event
- The TUE process will help avoid the risk of sanctions due to a positive test
- National level athletes should apply to the TUEC of the NADC for TUE
- International level athletes should apply to their International Federation
- TUE application form and procedure is on the TUE
Section of this website TUE
- Application for TUE can also be retroactive in case of an emergency
RISKS OF SUPPLEMENT USE
SUPPLEMENTS
- They are substances you eat or drink to supplement the diet
- They can be in pill, capsule, tablet, liquid or powder form
- They include vitamins, minerals, botanicals and substances that come from natural sources
- They are generally believed to contribute to health maintenance and wellbeing.
- They should not be considered a substitute for food.
RISKS OF SUPPLEMENT USE
Risks of nutritional supplement
- There is no assurance that a supplement is free of a banned substance, safe or effective
- Studies show that as many 20% of supplements available to the athletes can contain ingredients that are not declared on label
- Listing on the label often contains word that only the chemist can understand
- Athletes tend to use quantities much more than the required daily intake (RDI)
TESTING PROCEDURES, INCLUDING URINE, BLOOD AND ATHLETE BIOLOGICAL PASSPORT
Doping control process & testing
The Doping Control Process is a standard confidential process that:
- Ensures an athlete is properly selected for testing
- A sample (urine, blood) is collected, sealed and sent for analysis
- A World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Laboratory analyzes the sample
- Analysis result is received and processed
Stages of the Doping Control Process for Urine Collection
- Anytime, Anywhere – in-competition, out-of-competition
- Notification
- Reporting – to the Doping Control Station
- Choosing of collection vessel
- Making of Urine - At least 90ml of urine is usually collected in the presence of an officially designated assistant (to avoid cheating)
- Choosing Sample Collection Kit
- Putting the urine in the sample bottles - The urine is divided into two (anonymous) coded bottles chosen by the athlete
- Sealing the bottles – the athlete closes and ensures bottles are sealed
- Measurement of the specific gravity
- Completion of the DCO form
- Sending sample to WADA accredited laboratory
Step by step Blood Sample Collection Procedure
- Athlete Selection
- Athlete Notification
- Reporting to the Doping Control Station
- Selection of Kits
- Blood Collection
- Securing the Blood Sample
- Completing the Doping Control Forms
- Shipment of Blood Sample to a WADA accredited Laboratory.
Type of Testing
- OUT-OF-COMPETITION
- NO NOTICE
- NOTICE
- IN-COMPETITION
- PRIOR KNOWLEGDE
- NO KNOWLEGDE
SELECTION METHODS
- RANDOM TESTING
- FINISH POSITION
- LANE ORDER
- RACE NUMBER
- CHALLENGE TESTING
- TARGET TESTING
REQUIREMENTS OF THE RTP
RTP Athletes Whereabouts & Responsibilities
Responsibilities of Athletes
- It is the responsibility of the athletes to provide their whereabouts information
- Athletes will be responsible for whatever that is found in their bodily fluid. Athletes will take responsibility for what they eat and drink and anything that enters their body. The essential rule is this: if it is in your body, you are responsible for it. In legal terms, this is called “strict liability”
- It is the athlete’s responsibility to confirm the status of all medications, and nutritional supplements he/she is using in order to prevent inadvertent use of prohibited substances;
- Athletes should endeavor to seek for medical treatment from qualified medical personnel attached to their Sports Council Clinics as well as their State hospitals;
- Athletes should inform medical personnel of their obligation not to Use Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods and to take responsibility to make sure that any medical treatment received does not constitute an anti-Doping Rules Violation;
- Any athlete who seeks to use any drug under the Prohibited List for genuine medical condition should obtain a Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE) Certificate;
- It is the responsibility of the athlete to make himself/herself available for dope testing when selected or notified; failure or refusal constitutes an anti-doping rule violation, which attracts sanction;
- Ask questions if in doubt from those knowledgeable in anti-doping. Send questions to NADC vis its: E-mail address: nadcngr@yahoo.com Tel. No. (WhatsApp): 09033858210
What is Whereabouts?
- Whereabouts is information provided by some athletes so Anti-Doping Organizations (ADO) can locate them for testing, particularly out-of-competition, no advance notice testing.
- Whereabouts information must be accurate and updated at all times. If an athletes plan or schedule changes, the Whereabouts information should be changed immediately or there may be consequences.
Which Athletes Give Whereabouts?
- Athletes who are part of a Registered Testing Pool (RTP);
- RTP athletes are normally the highest priority athletes for an ADO;
- IFs and NADOs determine which athletes are required to provide whereabouts information.
- Athletes who are specifically asked to provide whereabouts information. For example athletes participating at a major games or athletes included in a domestic or other testing pool of an ADO;
- Major Event Organizers, such as the IOC, IPC may have Games-time specific whereabouts requirements for participating athletes.
Information Required for whereabouts
Whereabouts information include:
- Home address, email address and phone number
- An overnight accommodation address
- Regular activities: e.g training, work, school or University and their locations plus times they will be there
- Competition schedules including when they are taking place and where
- A 60-minute time slot for each day where they’ll be available and accessible for testing
Submitting and Updating Whereabouts
- Most RTP athletes submit their whereabouts information via WADA's Anti-Doping Administration System (ADAMS);
- A mobile App 'Athlete Central' is also available for athletes to use to submit and update their whereabouts information;
- Sometimes an ADO may allow whereabouts updates by email;
- RTP athletes have to submit their whereabouts information by a specific date and time every quarter (every 3 months)
Consequences for Whereabouts Failure
- There may be consequences if an athlete is not where they say they are, and they cannot be located for testing. This is known as a missed test;
- There may be consequences if an athlete does not file their whereabouts information on time or provides inaccurate information. This is known as a filling failure;
- Any combination of 3 filling failures or missed tests in a 12-month period may lead to an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV)
What Is ADAMS?
- Stands for “Anti-Doping Administration and Management System” (ADAMS);
- It was designed and operated by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA);
- It is a global online tool that athletes can access anytime and anywhere to submit and update their whereabouts information;
- ADAMS is available in many languages;
ADAMS is free, easy to use, and it takes privacy and security of athlete information seriously.
SPEAKING UP TO SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT DOPING
The Speak Up Platform allows athletes, their support personnel and all others who may have information to share regarding a possible Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) to provide the information to NADC in a confidential manner if they choose. Speak Up can also be used to report possible non-compliance by an Anti-Doping Organization (ADO) under the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) or any act or deed that could undermine global efforts for sport.
If you have concerns about doping, there are several ways to report it. You can contact the National Anti-Doping Committee (NADC) through this website or our phone number or our physical office location.
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Website address: https://nadongr.org.ng
- E-mail address: nadcngr@yahoo.com
- Tel. No. (WhatsApp): 09033858210
- NADC OFFICE ADDRESS: Block 4A, 1st Floor, Phase 1, Federal Secretariat, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, Abuja.
It’s important to remember that doping is illegal and can have serious consequences.
Athletes who are caught doping can face suspension, loss of medals, and even legal action.
