Description

Doping and Running

Introduction:

Doping in Running is a controversial subject, but an important one to discuss. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) works tirelessly to stamp out doping in the hope of achieving fair play in sport and achieving their “play true” core value. So, in this episode the aim is to inform you of the good work they are doing…but also for you to think about “Does this affect me?” Possibly not, but if you are a Club Runner with aspirations to achieve more…then maybe YES. Or maybe you know of someone who is an aspiring runner so with this information you can inform them of the risks from consuming supplements and medications. So, open for discussion is:

• WADA and its affiliated organisations
• The various substances and supplements on the banned list
• How to avoid the risk of consuming any banned substances 

SHOW NOTES

(07:50)

The Tokyo Olympics are upon us, so random drug testing will be carried out on some athletes. BUT, have you ever considered how these tests are completed?

Basically, there are two types of testing: 

• In-Competition Testing 
• Out-of-Competition Testing. 

In-Competition Testing refers to the period commencing at 11:59 p.m. on the day before a competition and finishing after the end of the competition and the sample collection process linked to that particular competition. 

Out-of-Competition Testing takes place at any time outside the In-Competition period.

The procedure includes a urine and/or blood sample collected from an athlete. The athlete collects the urine sample himself/herself, however, to ensure there is no dishonest practice, a specialist (known as a Doping Control Officer (DCO)) of the same gender as the athlete is present during the sample collection.

Blood samples are taken by a specialist known as a Blood Collection Officer (BCO) who is a specially-trained professional and holds a medical license.

A “chaperone” will notify an athlete who is selected for testing for doping and will monitor all activities undertaken by the athlete until the sample collection process is completed.  

(12:31)

WADA was established in 1999 following the doping events of the Tour de France in 1998. Here are some facts about WADA:

• It is an international independent agency composed and funded equally by the sport movement and governments of the world. 
• Its key activities include: scientific research, education, development of anti-doping capacities, monitoring of the World Anti-Doping Code (Code) – the document that harmonises anti-doping policies in all sports and all countries.
• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) held a World Conference on Doping in 1999, which led to WADA being formed
• Headquarters are based in Montreal in Canada
• The European arm of WADA is situated in Lausanne
• They were operational for the Games in Sydney in 2000 

Their mission “is to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport” 

(17:10)

So who is bound by the anti-doping code established by WADA? 

to date there are approximately 700 sport organisations who have accepted the World Anti-Doping Code. These organisations include the: 

• International Olympic Committee (IOC)
• International Paralympic Committee (IPC)
• International Federations (IFs) (including all IOC-recognised IFs)
• National Olympic and Paralympic Committees
• National and Regional Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs and RADOs)

All signatories who are bound by the anti-doping code are required to undertake three steps in order to be fully compliant with the...