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ANTI-DOPING

Anti-Doping Awareness


Doping in sport remains a serious issue putting athlete’s health at risk, threatening the integrity of clean athletes and the reputation of the sport.

Whilst doping is not prevalent in our sport it is essential that as athletes, parents, coaches, support staff and practitioners we are, aware, informed and understand the ‘rules’ that apply to us as athletes, coaches or support staff and our obligations.

We should know where to access resources, how and where to check medications, the process by which to assess the need for supplements as well as being familiar with the wider components of clean sport. As a sport we have a collective responsibility to inform and educate athletes as well as the individuals who support them – should we ignore our responsibility there are profound consequences for the sport.

GB Taekwondo embrace UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) programme of deterrence, detection and education resources to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected. We endorse the testing programmes implemented by UKAD and World Taekwondo (WT) meaning that athletes may be tested anytime, anywhere at competitions (deemed to be 'in competition') as well as National Squad training sessions (deemed to be 'out of competition').

 Furthermore, GB Taekwondo endorse Athlete Whereabouts and the testing programme delivered through the Registered Testing Programme, (RTPs).

• It is a violation to refuse or avoid a test.
• Athletes may be tested at any age (Testing Process for Minors).
• Athletes may be tested by anyone of the following methods - urine, blood (venous) or DBS,(Dried Blood Spot).

We are committed to the dissemination of education, resources and information to uphold clean sport through all channels of communication to include social media, workshops, web links as well as through word of mouth. We believe in a values-based philosophy which shines a spotlight on clean sport to and its relevance to athletes, coaches, support personnel and team leaders meaning that there is not only a knowledge of the subject matter but a deeper understanding of its relationship to our day to day activity in sport.    

Notice from UKAD

All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation (IF) [World Taekwondo] to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected.

GB Taekwondo (GB TKD) has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for GB TKD are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.

The anti-doping rules of GB TKD are the rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time.
If you are a member of GB TKD then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here.

Anti-Doping Rules

From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.
For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit UKAD’s website here.
Under the 2021 Code, an athlete may be classified as being “International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete” based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.

Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here.
For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit UKAD’s sanction page on their website.

An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.

The Prohibited List
All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. More information can be found on UKAD’s website here.

Checking Medications
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website here.
Check out this video from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO.

Taking Nutritional Supplements 
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.

If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to. 

Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video on the testing process from start to finish. 
Athletes can find out more in the Introduction to testing section of UKAD’s website.

Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part - athletes, coaches, or parents - whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
There are different ways to speak out:
• Email - When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at protectyoursport@reportdoping.com
• WhatsApp - Message on WhatsApp* at +44 (0) 7587 634711 - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your name and number will be kept confidential.
Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.
*WhatsApp is an encrypted platform. This number is not open to receiving calls.

Further Info

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking GB TKD and athlete support personnel, athletes may also contact UKAD directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance. 

UKAD Clean Sport Pocket Guide can be found here.

They can be contacted at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.
Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the news section of their website, or on their Twitter account: @ukantidoping.

WADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was founded with the primary aim of bringing consistency to anti-doping policies and regulations within sport organisations and governments across the world. WADA coordinated the development and implementation of the World Anti-Doping Code. This document sets out to harmonise the anti-doping policies, rules and regulations. It works in conjunction with eight International Standards which aim to foster consistency among anti-doping organisations in various areas.

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