ANTI-DOPING
Anti-Doping Policy
Table Tennis Wales is firmly against drug misuse and believes that all players have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors are clean. The use of performance-enhancing drugs and other doping behaviour severely damages the legitimacy of sport and undermines the integrity of clean athletes.
Table Tennis Wales has adopted the UK Anti-Doping Rules. If you are a member of Table Tennis Wales, then the anti-doping rules apply to you regardless of your level of participation. Table Tennis Wales will fully assist with any investigations carried out by UK Anti-Doping, World Anti-Doping Agency, ITTF or other bodies. Table Tennis Wales anti-doping leads are Stephen Jenkins, National Coach and Martyn Dew, board anti-doping lead officer, and you can contact them with any queries or concerns via membership@tabletennis.wales or 029 20 334999.
What is anti-doping?
If you are involved in sport, either as an athlete, athlete support personnel or sports administrator then you will have anti-doping responsibilities that you need to be aware of. Failing to abide by the values of clean sport or the Anti-Doping Rules (if they apply to you) could mean severe consequences for your sporting future or career.
UK Anti-Doping
UK Anti-Doping is the UK’s National Anti-Doping Organisation responsible for protecting clean sport in the UK. They ensure that sports bodies in the UK comply with the World Anti-Doping Code so that athletes can compete in the true spirit of the sport. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here
It is important that all athletes are aware of the UK Anti-Doping Rules so that success can be achieved in a clean sport. One of UKAD's responsibilities is the management of anti-doping rule violations committed by athletes or athlete support personnel.
2021 World Anti-Doping Code
From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it is 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.
Anti-Doping Rule Violations
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.
Coach/Player Advice
100% Me – Supporting athletes to be clean.
100% me is UK Anti-Doping’s prevention programme and is designed to help you throughout your sporting journey. 100% me supports, informs and educates athletes throughout their careers by providing anti-doping advice and guidance. It is important that you are aware of the anti-doping rules and what will happen if you are to be tested by Doping Control. You can find more about 100% me here
Doping Control
You should feel prepared when notified that you are to be tested by Doping Control. If you are selected for testing, you should take a representative with you so they can support you. You should know your rights and responsibilities, including what may happen if you are unable to provide a sample.
UK Anti-Doping recommends that you follow your normal hydration routines and that you follow the instructions given by the Doping Control Officer. You should be prepared to provide details of any substances you have taken – this needs to be written on the Doping Control form. This is your test and your sample. Find out more about testing and your rights and responsibilities in the Athlete Zone.
What is strict liability?
As an athlete, one of the most important things to be aware of is the principle of strict liability. This means that you are personally responsible for any banned substance found in your system, regardless of how it got there and whether you had an intention to cheat.
Prohibited List
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is responsible for the preparation and publication of the list of substances and methods that are prohibited in sport, known as the Prohibited List. Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or bought over the counter) you must check it for banned substances. Medications 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. You can find more information here World Anti-Doping Agency Prohibited list.
Know the risk with using nutritional supplements
All athletes are advised to assess the need for the use of supplements and to assess the risk of using any nutrition formulas, energy drinks etc. as there is no guarantee that any supplement is free from banned substances. See the Supplement Hub section of the UKAD website to read more about the risks of supplements and to get advice in this area.
Apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) if required
If you need to use a banned substance or method to treat a genuine medical condition, and there are no reasonable alternatives, you may have to apply for a TUE. You can find out more about whether you need a TUE and how to apply for one (including emergency TUE) on the About TUEs section of the UKAD website.
Understand what happens in a test (also known as Doping Control)
You should feel prepared when notified that you are to be tested by Doping Control. If you are selected for testing, you should take a representative with you so they can support you. You should know your rights and responsibilities, including what may happen if you are unable to provide a sample.
UK Anti-Doping recommends that you follow your normal hydration routines and that you follow the instructions given by the Doping Control Officer. You should be prepared to provide details of any substances you have taken – this needs to be written on the Doping Control form. This is your test and your sample. Find out more about testing and your rights and responsibilities in the Athlete Zone.
'Protect Your Sport'
We all have a responsibility to report doping in sport and help keep it clean. The UK Anti-Doping ‘Protect Your Sport’ campaign aims to encourage more people to come forward and share their concerns about doping in sport. We encourage everyone to report their concerns through any method below. Withholding information could lead to a ban.
You can share your concerns via WhatsApp on 07587 634711, email protectyoursport@reportdoping.com, online (search: Protect Your Sport) or by phone 08000 32 23 32. Protect Your Sport is available to listen and support those who want to speak out, with confidence, and in confidence.
For more information from UK Anti-Doping:
- If you’re an athlete - 100% me | UK Anti-Doping (ukad.org.uk)
- If you’re a coach - www.ukad.org.uk/coaches
- If you’re a support person - http://www.ukad.org.uk/support-personnel/
- If you’re a parent - www.ukad.org.uk/parents/
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Sophia Gardens
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CF11 9SW
Tel: 029 20334 999
Email: enquiries@tabletennis.wales
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