RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES: ATHLETE & ASP
Anti-Doping is part of a player’s life and at times it appears quite complex and scary. The key for players is to know that no matter what situation they face, they have certain rights & responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code and IWBF Anti-Doping Regulations.
Here is an outline of the main rights for players:
- Equality of opportunity.
- Equitable and fair testing programs.
- Medical treatment and protection of health rights.
- Right to justice.
- Right to accountability.
- Whistleblower rights.
- Right to get anti-doping education.
- Right to data protection.
- Rights to compensation.
- Protected persons’ rights.
- Rights during a sample collection session (see below).
- Right to B sample analysis (if initial testing is positive).
- Other rights and freedoms not affected.
- Application and standing.
WADA has published the Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act which provides more information on each of these rights.
On the other hand, players also have certain responsibilities within the global anti-doping system. Players must:
- Know and abide by the applicable anti-doping rules.
- Be available for testing at all times, upon request.
- Abide by the principle of strict liability (take responsibility for what they ingest).
- Inform medical professionals that as a player they have to respect the Prohibited List. And that if a treatment is required that includes a prohibited substance that a TUE request must be made.
- Inform IWBF or your local NADO in case you have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation in the past 10 years.
- Cooperate with anti-doping investigations, upon request.
- Disclose the information of your Support Personnel, if requested by an Anti-Doping Organization.
The supporting personnel (Athlete Support Personnel – ASP) also has certain rights & responsibilities. Namely:
- Being knowledgeable of anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Athlete(s) you support.
- Using your influence on Athlete values and behaviours to foster anti-doping attitudes.
- Complying with all anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Athlete(s) you support.
- Cooperating with the Athlete testing program.
- Disclosing to IWBF and their NADO whether you have committed any Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) within the previous ten years.
- Cooperating with anti-doping organisations investigating ADRVs.
Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.2 and 21.3.
RIGHTS & RESPONSIBILITIES: DURING A DOPING CONTROL
In addition to the globally applicable rights & responsibilities, it is important for a player to understand his rights whenever subject to a doping control. These can be summarised as follows:
The rights of players during a doping control.
- Have a representative accompany them during the process.
- Request an interpreter, if one is available.
- Ask for Chaperone’s/Doping Control Officer’s identification.
- Ask any questions.
- Request a delay for a valid reason (e.g., attending a victory ceremony, receiving necessary medical attention, warming down or finishing a training session).
- Request special assistance or modifications to the process.
- Record any comments or concerns on the Doping Control Form.
The responsibilities of players during a doping control.
- Report for testing immediately upon notification.
- Show valid identification (usually a government-issued ID).
- Remain in direct sight of the DCO or Chaperone.
- Comply with the collection procedure.
- Be respectful to the doping control officer and chaperone.
