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

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

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 has up to ONE HOUR after notification to report at the Doping Control Station if he/she has to perform any of the above.

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).

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

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:

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.