What we've learnt so far at Clean Sport Connect
We are over halfway through Clean Sport Connect, UKAD’s new webinar series. The online series connects sports bodies, Athlete Support Personnel and athletes with clean sport topics across the field of national and global anti-doping.
So what have we learnt so far?
Webinar 1: Major Games – clean sport on home soil
Our first webinar looked at UKAD’s involvement in the Commonwealth Games Birmingham 2022:
- the pre-Games education for the home nations
- the Testing Programme at the Games
- the Commonwealth Games Taskforce
- and the Legacy commitments for the next Commonwealth Games.
An international collaboration of 111 Doping Control Personnel worked at the Games delivering the Testing Programme. They were joined by over 150 volunteers, coming together to operate the sample collection at the Games, raise awareness of clean sport education and how to report suspicions of doping during Games time.
For athletes and their support teams, we learnt how education for the Games begins early. The UK’s Clean Games Policy sets the compulsory education that these groups must complete before attending a Major Games. UKAD’s National Trainers were present at events across the home nations, delivering education specific to the Games. Education is a key driver of change, reminding everyone in sport of their responsibilities.
UKAD Athlete Commission Member Jude Hamer talked about her experience as a competing athlete. Jude’s sport of Wheelchair Basketball was introduced as a 3x3 format for the first time in Birmingham. On her role in the Athlete Commission, Jude emphasised the importance of using her voice and experience to support athletes and raise awareness of clean sport - “I’ve always found anti-doping and the science behind it, really interesting, so on a personal level it’s great to be involved in those conversation with UKAD and other athletes from different sports.”.
Tony Josiah, UKAD’s Director of Education, Insight and Global Engagement, introduced the Legacy Project which will work with the Commonwealth Games Federation, and anti-doping organisations within the Commonwealth to improve anti-doping process and best practices over the next four years as we build towards Victoria 2026. A video from the launch event of the Legacy Project is available to watch on YouTube.
Webinar 2: UKAD’s Assurance Framework – The value of your efforts
Webinar 2 took place on Wednesday 28 September and welcomed members of National Governing Bodies and Sports Councils. Presenters discussed the UKAD Assurance Framework, which was introduced in April 2021 alongside the 2021 National Anti-Doping Policy.
The Assurance Framework is a series of 24 requirements for National Governing Bodies to meet the National Anti-Doping Policy. The Framework is a partnership with Sports Bodies, helping them to reduce the risk of doping and develop a clean sport culture within their sport. The main aims of the Assurance Framework are to make sure that athletes and Athlete Support Personnel receive education and information on clean sport, and that processes are in place to deal with any rule breaches.
Join us for the next Clean Sport Connect webinar!
On Wednesday 12 October 2022, we will be discussing the key updates within the 2023 Prohibited List as part of a webinar on science and medicine. The event is sponsored by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
The 2023 Prohibited List was released by the World Anti-Doping Agency on Friday 29 September 2022, and is essential reading for all athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and anyone working within sport. The List will come into effect on 1 January 2023.
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