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Anti-Doping Rights
Athletes have rights in anti-doping because protecting those rights is essential to ensure fairness, safety, respect, and to have justice in sport. Here are some of the rights athletes must be aware of:
- Equal opportunity: Athletes have the right to equal opportunity in their pursuit of sport to perform
- Medical treatment: Athletes have the right to be free from any pressure that puts their health in danger
- Right to justice: Athletes have the right to be treated fairly, including the right to speak and share their side of the story
- Right to education: Athletes have the right to receive anti-doping Education and information
- Right to data protection: Athletes have the right to have their personal information kept safe, used legally, and handled fairly
- Rights during a sample collection: Athletes have the right to ask for additional information, the right to hydrate or drink water, be accompanied by a guardian/chaperone and the right to receive a copy of the records of the sample collection
Anti-Doping Duties
There are some very important anti-doping duties that must be performed by the athletes to make sure the sport is drug-free and fair.
- You must know what the Anti-Doping Rules are and how they impact you
- You must go/report to the ‘Doping Control Station‘ immediately once you are selected
- You must present a valid photo identity card for the test
- You should always stay near or around the chaperone so that he/she can see you
- Follow or perform all the necessary steps during the sample collection
Self-Medication
Self-medication is the use of medications without medical guidance. This can have serious health risks and a negative impact on your sports performance or career. Always consult a doctor before taking any medication. Medical supervision is important for your health and sports career.
Some of the risks of self-medication are:
- Adverse reactions and allergies
- ‘Drug interactions’ or a change in the action or side effects of a medicine caused by another medicine
- You may get dependent on the medicine
- Resistance to medications or the medicine does not work effectively on the bacteria or viruses
- Diagnosis or detection of diseases takes more time
- New medical conditions or new diseases
- Some medicines may contain prohibited substances, and you might not even know it! This can result in positive doping tests
TUE – Therapeutic Use Exemption
It is a form for athletes to get approval to use prohibited substances or medicines for medical reasons. TUE ensures that only athletes with medical conditions can use prohibited or banned substances or medicines and compete fairly without putting their health at risk.
How to apply for TUE?
- Consult your doctor to verify if you truly need a prohibited substance or medicine to treat your medical condition.
- If necessary, fill out the TUE request form with all the information about your condition, treatment, and medications.
- Attach all the important documents, such as medical reports that confirm your condition, the need for the substance, medical history, and medical tests.
- Send your TUE request to the anti-doping committee of your sport and wait for the evaluation.
- After sending, keep an eye on the status of your request. If approved, you will receive authorisation to use the substance! Only after this notification will you be safe to use the medication.
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And, pay attention to the Validity of the Authorisation to use the medicines or substances! If you need to continue treatment, don’t forget to request the renewal of the TUE
Supplements
Supplements are products that complement the diet, providing nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fibres, or amino acids when a person cannot obtain them in sufficient amounts from their food. According to the International Olympic Committee and scientific studies, the only supplements that might be useful to athletes are caffeine, beta-alanine, creatine, nitrate, and sodium bicarbonate.
Risks related to Supplements:
Supplements are NOT Miraculous food. Supplements are products designed to complement the diet by providing nutrients. However, not all guarantee safety or success.
The casual use of supplements can lead to:
- unwanted side effects
- might affect the actions of other drugs
- being dependent on the supplement
- can put extra pressure on organs
- and a lot of wasted money
Some supplements may contain banned substances. It is crucial to check the composition and origin before consuming any product. However, no product is 100% safe. To avoid the risks of doping and side effects: consult a nutritionist or doctor, choose quality supplements, and search websites of companies that test supplements like BSCG, HASTA, Informed-Sport, and others.
Doping and Its Consequences on Health
Physical Consequences
Doping has both immediate and long-term impacts on an athlete’s body. Short-term effects may include increased blood pressure, hormonal changes, acne, and mood or behavioral problems. Over time, the risks become even more severe, including irreversible liver and kidney damage, cardiovascular disease, psychological dependence, and in some cases, cancer.
Although many athletes turn to doping in search of better performance, the opposite often occurs. Doping can weaken the immune system, leaving athletes more vulnerable to infections and illness.
Mental Consequences
The dangers of doping extend beyond the body—it also harms mental health. Athletes who use banned substances may experience anxiety, depression, mood swings, and emotional instability. These effects are especially dangerous when combined with other medications or health conditions.
