PRINCIPLES & VALUES OF CLEAN SPORT
The values and principles of clean sport are built around the idea that sport should be fair, honest, and free from cheating, including the use of banned substances & methods. For IWBF, the most relevant values and principles of clean sport include:
Fair Play:
This is the idea that players should compete on a level playing field and that winning should be based on skill, talent, and hard work, rather than cheating.
Health and safety:
Clean sport emphasizes the importance of protecting the health and safety of players by discouraging the use of prohibited substances and methods that can be harmful to the athlete’s well-being.
Respect:
Clean sport encourages players to respect the rules and spirit of the sport, as well as the rights and dignity of other athletes and officials.
Integrity:
Clean sport promotes the principles of integrity, honesty, and transparency in the conduct of sport at all levels.
Transparency:
Clean sport promotes transparency and openness, so that all stakeholders, including athletes, coaches, and fans, can have confidence in the fairness and integrity of the sport.
Inclusion:
Clean sport encourages inclusive and open competition that provides equal opportunities for all athletes, regardless of their race, gender, religion, or other characteristics.
Education:
Clean sport emphasizes the importance of education and raising awareness about the risks and dangers of doping, and encourages athletes to make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
Cooperation:
Clean sport promotes cooperation between anti-doping organizations, governments, sports organizations, and other stakeholders to strengthen anti-doping efforts and ensure that sport remains fair and clean.
These values and principles are embodied in the World Anti-Doping Code and embedded in the IWBF Internal Regulations governing Anti-Doping, which sets out the rules and regulations that govern IWBF’s anti-doping efforts in sport.
Adhering to these values and principles is essential for protecting the integrity of Wheelchair Basketball, ensuring fair competition, and promoting the health and well-being of athletes.
THE PRINCIPLE OF STRICT LIABILITY
The principle of strict liability is a fundamental principle in anti-doping.
It means: a player is strictly liable for any prohibited substance that is found in their body, regardless of whether or not the athlete intended to take it or knew that it was a prohibited substance.
Here is how it works: If a prohibited substance is found in an athlete’s sample, it can be considered a violation of anti-doping rules, regardless of whether the athlete knew about it or not. The player will then have to prove that the substance entered their body without their knowledge, for example, through a contaminated supplement.
This principle is in place to protect the integrity of sport, making it more difficult for athletes to cheat by claiming they didn’t know they were taking a banned substance. Vice-versa, it helps anti-doping organizations, such as IWBF, to uphold fair play, and protect the health and well-being of athletes.
It’s important for athletes to be aware of this principle and to take the necessary precautions.
For example: always consult your doctor and other experts before taking any new supplements or medications. There is a number of tools that can help you to be cautious. Find more information and make sure to check your medication and supplements as explained under: Risk of Using Supplements
