April 19th marks ‘PLAY TRUE’ day promoting clean sport globally.
In recognition of this, Virtus Sport proudly announces the launch of its first-ever ‘Anti-Doping Awareness Program’, emphasising our dedication to fair competition.
This program is designed to educate athletes, coaches, parents and Virtus partners about anti-doping principles. Virtus believes that everyone deserves access to this essential knowledge, ensuring their full inclusion in the clean sport movement.
Our initiative aims to equip participants with simple yet effective tools to understand anti-doping concepts. Through engaging content and monthly seminars, we will cover topics such as the basics of doping, prohibited substances, doping test procedures, Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE), rights and duties of athletes, coaches, parents, and Virtus Sport members and consequences of doping.
Join us in championing integrity and fairness in sports on #PlayTrueDay and beyond. Together, let’s inspire a culture of honesty and accountability.
What is Doping?
Doping is the illegal use of banned substances or methods to improve athletic performance and represents a significant challenge to the integrity and fairness of sports. It undermines/compromises the principles of fair play, equality, and respect for one’s competitors.
Doping not only provides an unfair advantage to those who engage in it but also damages the health and well-being of athletes. The use of prohibited substances such as anabolic steroids, stimulants, and growth hormones can lead to severe health consequences, including organ damage and even death.
Moreover, doping tarnishes the reputation of sports organisations and erodes public trust in the authenticity of athletic achievements. Therefore, combating doping through rigorous testing, education, and enforcement measures is essential to safeguarding the values of honesty, integrity, and fair competition in sports.
Doping can also lead to violation of one of the following WADA’s 11 Rules-
- Presence of a prohibited substance
- Use of a prohibited substance
- Evading/avoiding, refusing to submit a doping test
- Tampering/interfering or attempted tampering with the test
- Possession/owning of a prohibited substance
- Trafficking or trying to sell/buy a prohibited substance
- Administration or Attempted Administration of a Prohibited Substance to an Athlete
- Complicity or being involved in any illegal activity related to doping
- Failing to file whereabouts information
- Prohibited association
- Acts by an athlete or other person to discourage someone from reporting to authorities about doping
What are Prohibited Substances?
In the world of competitive sports, fair play is very important. To uphold integrity and ensure a level playing field, athletes must adhere to strict regulations regarding prohibited substances and methods. WADA oversees this effort and created a list of Prohibited Substances and Methods which is updated annually, and includes medications, supplements, and performance-enhancing techniques.
It safeguards/protects the health of athletes, but it also upholds the integrity of the sport. The use of banned substances can lead to severe consequences, including health risks, financial penalties, and tarnished/damaged reputations.
Athletes, coaches, and medical professionals must stay informed about the Prohibited List. WADA publishes the list on their website, and it’s also accessible on Virtus Anti-Doping Page. Given that the list evolves annually, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and check for updates regularly. The Global Dro website offers a convenient tool for verifying the status of medications against the prohibited list.
What is a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)?
A TUE is an authorisation from an Anti-Doping Organisation (ADO) that allows an athlete to use a prohibited substance or method for the treatment of a genuine/legitimate medical condition. The ADO must be satisfied that the use of the substance or method is consistent with the principles of fair play and medical ethics.
An athlete may need a TUE if they have a medical condition that requires the use of a particular medicine or prohibited substance or method for their treatment of well-being.
For example, an athlete with asthma may need to use an inhaler that contains a prohibited substance. Without a TUE, the use of an inhaler would be considered a violation of anti-doping rules. But, if the athlete has TUE for the inhaler, they will be able to use the inhaler without violating/breaking the anti-doping rules.
Therapeutic Use Exceptions (TUEs) are an important part of clean sport. Athletes with specific medical conditions must apply for TUE to use medicines that are otherwise prohibited.
Steps to apply for TUE-
- If you are sick/ill, tell your doctors that you are an athlete and can be tested for Anti-Doping, so the doctor can try to prescribe you medicines that are not on the list of prohibited substances, if possible a non-prohibited substance for your treatment.
- If there is no medicine without prohibited substances, you will need to request a TUE.
- Download the ‘Virtus TUE form’ from the Virtus Website and give it to your medical doctor to fill out this form.
- With your doctor, add all the exams as necessary to prove why you need this medicine.
- Don’t forget to request a report from your doctor, explaining all your medical history and the treatments you tried before.
- Send the completed TUE Form along with the doctor’s report to Virtus. Our Medical Team will read carefully and reply to you about your request.
Doping Control Test
Athletes’ Rights and Duties
Athletes have key rights in anti-doping, including the right to be informed about policies, have a fair hearing, and request a review of decisions. However, they also have responsibilities, such as understanding and following anti-doping rules, providing whereabouts for out-of-competition testing, and avoiding prohibited substances.
Rights :
- Athletes have the right to be informed about anti-doping policies, rules, and procedures. Sports organizations must provide access to up-to-date and clear information.
- If an athlete faces an accusation of violating anti-doping rules, the athlete has the right to a fair hearing before an impartial panel. The athlete can present evidence by legal counsel. A fair process is essential to protect the athlete’s rights.
- The athlete’s personal data and medical information collected during anti-doping tests must be treated with confidentiality.
- If the athlete’s ‘sample-A’ tests positive for a prohibited substance, the athlete has the right to request the analysis of the athlete’s sample-B to confirm the result.
Remember, knowing your rights is crucial to protect yourself and ensure a fair process in the world of anti-doping. Don’t hesitate to seek guidance and support if you have any doubts or concerns. You are not alone in this journey!
Consequences of Doping
The use of doping in sports can have a number of serious consequences, which can affect not only the athlete’s health, but also their sporting career, reputation, and even legal aspects. The athlete can face a temporary or permanent ban from competition too.
Doping poses severe health risks for athletes, impacting both physical and mental well-being. Anabolic steroids and stimulants strain the cardiovascular system, raising the risk of heart issues like hypertension, heart attacks, and strokes. Some substances also affect mental health, leading to anxiety, aggression, and depression. Doping can weaken tendons and muscles, risking injuries and tears, and prolonged use harms organs such as the liver, kidneys, and reproductive system, even increasing cancer risk. Prioritizing health over short-term gains is very important for a sustainable and ethical sporting career.
