Athletes’ Rights and Responsibilities

In the global anti-doping system, stakeholders have specific roles and responsibilities that are set out in the Code. In order to perform their duties and responsibilities, athletes must understand and adhere to: Code Article 21 (Additional Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes and Other Persons), specifically Articles 21.1 (Athletes' Roles and Responsibilities), 21.2 (Athlete Support Personnel's Roles and Responsibilities) and 21.3 (Roles and Responsibilities of Other Persons Subject to the Code).

ICSD Anti-Doping Rules specify these anti-doping roles and responsibilities for all stakeholders by means of Articles 20, 21 and 22.

Athletes’ Rights

Athletes rights exist throughout the Code and International Standards and are also clearly outlined all in one place in the Athlete’s Anti-Doping Rights Act, published in 2020. In summary, they include:

  • Equality of opportunity
  • Equitable and Fair Testing programs
  • Medical treatment and protection of health rights
  • Right to justice
  • Right to accountability
  • Whistle-blower rights
  • Right to education
  • Right to data protection
  • Right to compensation
  • Protected Persons Rights
  • Rights during a Sample Collection Session
  • Right to B sample analysis
  • Other rights and freedoms not affected
  • Application and Standing

Athletes’ Responsibilities

For athletes to avoid doping violations, it is essential that they are aware of their anti-doping responsibilities. Athlete support personnel should also be familiar with these responsibilities. As an athlete, you are required to:

  • Know about and follow the ICSD Anti-Doping Rules, policies and any other applicable Anti-Doping Rules (e.g. rules of your National Anti-Doping Organisation - NADO)
  • Be available for testing (sample collection)
  • Take responsibility for what you ingest or use – make sure that no prohibited substance enters your body and that no prohibited methods are used
  • Inform medical professionals of your obligation not to use prohibited substances or methods as per the WADA Prohibited List, and that any advice or treatment you receive as an athlete from them should not violate the ICSD Anti-Doping Rules
  • Notify ICSD Anti-Doping Department and your NADO if you have committed an Anti-Doping Rule Violation within the last 10 years
  • Co-operate with ICSD and other Anti-Doping organisations (WADA, ITA, NADOs), particularly in relation to any doping investigations when asked to do so; this includes disclosing thentity of your support personnel upon request from an Anti-Doping Organisation
  • Not work with coaches, trainers, physicians or other athlete support personnel who are ineligible on account of an ADRV, or who have been criminally convicted or disciplined in relation to doping.
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