Introductory Level
This is going to be a holistic program which will make us understand the meaning of
doping, the objectives of the National Anti-Doping Agency, NADA, the World Anti-
doping Agency, WADA, the rights and responsibilities of athletes during the doping
control processes and will further equip all of us with the measures that can be taken
in order to avoid doping in sports. It will also motivate us to be Clean Champions and
Fair Play Ambassadors.
Topic 1- Anti-Doping
Anti-doping programs are founded on the intrinsic value of sport. This intrinsic value
is often referred to as "the spirit of sport": the ethical pursuit of human excellence
through the dedicated perfection of each Athlete’s natural talents. Anti-doping
programs seek to protect the health of Athletes and to provide the opportunity for
Athletes to pursue human excellence without the Use of Prohibited Substances and
Prohibited Methods. Anti-doping programs seek to maintain the integrity of sport in
terms of respect for rules, other competitors, fair competition, a level playing field,
and the value of clean sport to the world. The spirit of sport is the celebration of the
human spirit, body and mind. It is the essence of Olympism and 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
Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport.
We will now learn about the role of the National Anti-Doping Agency, India.
National Anti-Doping Agency, India is an autonomous body, established in 2005,
under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, with the vision of promoting the dope-
free sport in the country. As an independent agency, NADA India is committed to
ensuring fair play and promoting ethical practices in sports in country. NADA with the
objective of acting as the National Anti-Doping Organization for India is responsible
for planning, coordinating, implementing, monitoring and advocating improvements
in Doping Control.
To prevent doping in sports, NADA India is also reaching out to all stakeholders
through its anti-doping awareness, education and outreach program. It is an integral
step toward sensitizing athletes, athlete support personnel and all the stakeholders
involved in anti-doping.
NADA India seeks to foster the value of clean sport in the country and uphold
integrity and inclusion across all endeavours.
Now that we have had a brief about NADA, India, we will proceed further to discuss
the World Anti-Doping Agency or WADA.
World Anti-Doping Agency is a global regulatory body and its primary role is to
develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports
and countries.
NADA has adopted the WADA Code for the implementation of anti-doping programs
in the country. It is guided by and fully committed to the principles of the UNESCO
International Convention Against Doping in Sport and the World Anti-Doping Agency
Code.
Topic 2 - Principles and values associated with clean sport
What is fair play
Fair play is originally a sports concept, but it can also be applied in many different
ways and contexts beyond the field of play. Learning fair play behaviour in sport
can lead to the development and reinforcement of similar behaviour in one’s
everyday life.
Originally, fair play was a sports-related concept that emphasized playing by the
rules. Referees and officials interpreted and enforced the rules through penalties
and punishments. Today fair play has a meaning beyond sport and beyond just
following the rules.
This “spirit of fair play” is hard to define, but is easy to identify through specific
types of behaviour (e.g. shaking hands at the end of the game). Fair play does
not happen automatically when children and youth participate in team or group
activities. In fact, research from many countries supports the concern that some
competitive sports activities actually contribute to unfair behaviour—cheating,
substance abuse and aggression. Fair play—in sport or in any other context—
has to be taught, and because it is an idea that children seem to grasp readily,
teaching fair play is a useful concept in a variety of educational contexts.
“Fair play means that I respect my team-mates and my opponents. Sometimes
it’s harder to play fair.”
“I try to play fair, that is to follow the rules. But in a game that we really want to
win, we sometimes have to commit a tactical foul.”
Fair play does not only mean adherence to written rules: rather it describes the
right attitudes of sportsmen and sportswomen and the right spirit in which they
conduct themselves…”
Values-
Your values are the things that are essential to you and that guide your
judgments about what you ought to do or maybe ought not to do. Your beliefs
and principles serve as a guide for your behaviour. Therefore, if you place a high
value on kindness, you will act kindly toward other people, and if you place a high
value on honesty, you will be truthful. It is a reflection of the players' sports values
when they are courteous to one another, even when they are competing on
opposing teams.
Athletes uphold these core values: fairness, inclusiveness, and respect. These
aren't only necessary for sports; they're also essential for the workplace, the
classroom, and simply general life in general.
When just some of the players are breaking the rules of the game, it makes it
very difficult to enjoy oneself while playing. It messes up the fairness of the game
"Sometimes members of the same side may have opposing viewpoints. But then
also one should speak nicely to each other and work together to find a solution.
The Olympic Movement uses three core values to promote Olympism:
Excellence, Respect and Friendship.
Excellence
Excellence means doing the best we can, on the field of play or in our
professional life. The important thing is not winning, but taking part, making
progress and enjoying the healthy combination of body, will and mind.
Respect
This includes respect for yourself and your body, for other people, for rules and
regulations, for sport and for the environment.
Friendship
Friendship is at the heart of the Olympic Movement. It encourages us to see sport
as an instrument for mutual understanding between individuals, and between
people all over the world.
The five Olympic educational themes
To facilitate the learning of Olympic values and influence the behaviour of young
people, the IOC has adapted and elaborated on the three core Olympic values to
establish five Olympic educational themes.
1. Joy of effort
Young people develop and practise physical, behavioural and intellectual skills by
challenging themselves and each other in physical activities, movement, games
and sport
2. Fair play
Fair play is a sports concept, but it is applied worldwide today in many different
ways. Learning to play fair in sport can lead to the development and
reinforcement of fair play behaviour in one’s community and in one’s life.
3. Practising respect
When young people who live in a multicultural world learn to accept and respect
diversity and practise peaceful personal behaviour, they promote peace and
international understanding.
4. Pursuit of excellence
A focus on excellence can help young people to make positive, healthy choices,
and strive to become the best that they can be in whatever they do.
5. Balance between body, will and mind
Learning takes place in the whole body, not just in the mind, and physical literacy
and learning through movement contributes to the development of both moral
and intellectual learning. This concept was the cornerstone of Pierre de
Coubertin’s interest in reviving the Olympic Games.
Topic 3. The Principle of Strict Liability
What is Strict liability?
Athletes or other persons are responsible for knowing about the responsibility
and what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation and the substances and
methods which have been included on the Prohibited List.
It is the Athletes’ personal duty to ensure that no Prohibited Substance enters
their bodies. Athletes are responsible for any Prohibited Substance or its
Metabolites or Markers found to be present in their Samples. Accordingly, it is not
necessary that intent, Fault, negligence or knowing Use on the Athlete’s part be
demonstrated in order to establish an anti-doping rule violation under Article 2.1.
In accordance with the NADA Rules the athletes are responsible whenever a
prohibited substance is found in their bodily specimen. This means that a
violation occurs whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally,
knowingly or unknowingly, used a prohibited substance or was negligent or
otherwise at fault.
Athletes should always check with the National Anti Doping Agency/National
Federations/ International Federations (IFs) to find out what substances and
methods are prohibited in their sports. Also, athletes should always make their
doctor/ physician aware that they are bound by the specific rules of their sport.
Those who are unsure of what a product contains should not take it until they are
sure it is not prohibited. Ignorance is never an excuse.
Things to know
Athletes must check any medication they intend to use against the List to ensure
it does not contain a prohibited substance. Extreme caution is recommended
regarding supplement use. Even an “all-natural” supplement could contain a
prohibited substance.
Athletes who compete in sport and who are under the jurisdiction of the
antidoping rules, can be selected for urine and/or blood tested anytime, anywhere
by their IF, NADO or a Major Event Organizer.
Specially trained doping control personnel carry out all tests. Testing can be
conducted in-competition and out-of-competition such as at an athlete's home,
place of work or training venue.
Do’s
- Be aware of and comply with the WADA Code and National Anti-Doping
Rules 2021
- Be aware of the current prohibited/ banned substances and methods
- Apply for Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) in case of any prescribed
medication, which requires the consumption of drugs containing prohibited
substances
- Take treatment from recognized hospitals and doctors and inform them not to
prescribe any prohibited substances
- Cooperate with the Doping Control Officials involved in the dope testing
- Declare names of medicines/ supplements (if any) on the doping control form
at the time of sample collection
- Be cautious and aware of what you are consuming, maintain a healthy diet
and ensure regular water intake
Don’ts
- Don’t consume/ ingest any food supplements/ proteins/ medicines only based
on someone’s advice or without verification
- Don’t refuse to provide a dope sample to authorized person
- Don’t leave the sample unattended at any time during the sample collection
process
- Don’t misbehave with any staff/ official involved in the dope testing process
- Don’t use a broken/ tampered/ dirty dope control kit
- Don’t tamper/ attempt to tamper any part of the dope control process
- Don’t possess/ traffic/ administer prohibited substances/ methods/ activities
If you want to learn more check out the WADA's and NADA’s website.
What is WADA?
The World Anti Doping Agency is the global regulator for anti-doping. WADA’s
vision is "a world where all athletes can participate in a doping-free sporting
environment".
WADA’s mission is "to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free
sport."
WADA has two core roles:
1. To regulate anti-doping organizations and the anti-doping system.
2. To enable the development of the anti-doping system and programs.
WADA also coordinates the development of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).
What is the Code?
The Code is the core document that governs the anti-doping system. It is globally
recognized and ensures that anti-doping rules and programs are implemented
consistently across the world. The fundamental rationale for the Code is athlete
health and it is underpinned by values.
One of the purposes of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) and the World And-
Doping Program is to protect the athletes’ fundamental right to participate in
doping-free sport and thus promote and protect health, fairness and equal
opportunity for athletes worldwide.
About NADA
Guided by the powerful mission of promoting doping-free sports, the National
Anti-Doping Agency, NADA, was established by the Government of India as an
independent organisation to promote dope free culture in country.
NADA works with athletes and helps them champion clean sports. Right from the
start of their careers to the entire athlete pathway, NADA educates and provides
them resources that help them navigate the anti-doping process. The primary
function of the Agency includes:
1. Adopting and implementing rules and policies which conform with the
World Anti- Doping Code,
2. Regulating the dope control program as per applicable International
Standards by conducting dope sample collection of athletes.
3. Result management of positive/negative cases (adverse analytical/non-
analytical findings) and imposing sanctions/ ban on athletes/ athlete support
personnel who have violated anti-doping rules, and
4. Promoting anti-doping research & education
NADA is the Indian counterpart of the World Anti-Doping Agency (hereafter:
WADA) which principally lays down regulations regarding anti-doping to foster
consistency and continuity among policies and institutions, within government
entities and sporting organizations – authorities. In all the anti-doping
mechanisms and processes, NADA stands with athletes like a friend and
guide. From the first whistle to the final buzzer in any athlete’s life, NADA is
there every step of the way to strengthen the shared commitment and vision
of dope-free sports.
Topic 4. Athlete’s and Athlete Support Personnel's rights
and responsibilities
Rights & Responsibilities of Athletes
In accordance with WADA Code the athletes are responsible whenever a prohibited
substance is found in their bodily specimen. This means that a violation occurs
whether or not the athlete intentionally or unintentionally, knowingly or unknowingly,
used a prohibited substance or was negligent or otherwise at fault.
Athletes have the right to:
o Nominate a representative of their choice to accompany them to the Doping
Control Station
o Request all necessary information regarding the sample collection procedure
o Request a delay in reporting to the Doping Control Station, or leave the Doping
Control Station once they have reported, with the consent of a Doping Control
Official, while at all time in full view of the chaperone for valid reasons including
to :
− Attend a victory ceremony
− Compete in next events
− Finish a training session
− Receive necessary medical treatment
− Fulfil media commitments
− Warm down
− Undertake other activities considered reasonable and approved by the
Doping Control Officer
o Request modifications to standard Sample Collection Procedures – this will be
recorded on the Doping Control Test Form and only applies to athletes with a
disability
o Request an interpreter if available (for any reason)
o Avail therapeutic use exemption (TUE) on legitimate medical condition which
require use of prohibited substances for treatment of medical condition
Athletes have the responsibility to:
o Be aware of and comply with the anti-doping rules
o Be aware of prohibited substances and methods as per latest prohibited list.
o Be available for and comply with sample collection procedures
o Remain in sight of the official at all times until the Sample Collection Procedures
are complete (once notified for sample collection)
o Report to the Doping Control Station as soon as practical or within 60 minutes for
in competition testing and 15 min for out of competition testing
o Handle and control the sample until it is sealed in the sample collection equipment
o Check the seal of sample collection kit and ensure that it is secure and identified
o Check all information is accurate and complete before signing
Athlete Support Personal are responsible for:
o Being informed and updated of and complying with all anti-doping policies and
rules applicable to them or the athletes whom they support
o Supporting and assisting National Anti-Doping Agency to implement Doping
Control program
o Influencing athletes about sports values and to adopt clean behaviour to foster
anti-doping attitudes in sports
