Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges that Australia Weightlifting Federation (AWF) has imposed a three-year ban on athlete Songhwan (Alan) Park for the Presence of a Prohibited Substance/s and/or its metabolite and Use and Possession of Prohibited Substances.
Mr Park, a Masters athlete, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding from an In-Competition doping control test on 15 May 2022 during the Queensland Weightlifting Association State Masters Championships.
Mr Park’s sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of prohibited substances LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and its metabolite Di-hydroxy LGD-4033, RAD140, Higenamine, and N,N-Dimethyl Phenethylamine (DMPEA) were detected.
The substances LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and RAD140, known as Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs), are classified as Class S1.2 (Other Anabolic Agents) substances and are prohibited at all times. Higenamine is classified as a Class S3 (Beta-2 Agonists) substance and is also prohibited at all times. N,N-Dimethyl Phenethylamine (DMPEA) is classified as a Class S6 (Stimulants) substance and is prohibited In-Competition only.
It was also determined that:
- On and/or before 15 May 2022, Mr Park used LGD-4033 (Ligandrol); and/or RAD140; and/or Higenamine.
- On 15 May 2022, Mr Park used the Prohibited Substance DMPEA.
- From on and/or around 10 February 2021 to on and/or around 15 May 2022, Mr Park possessed LGD-4033 (Ligandrol); and/or RAD140.
Mr Park’s ban, commencing on 15 May 2022, was reduced by 12 months following a full admission of the alleged anti-doping rule violations.
Mr Park is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 15 May 2025. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-Signatory International Event organisation or a non-Signatory national-level Event organisation.
port Integrity Australia (SIA) acknowledges that Rugby Australia (RA) has imposed a one year and six months ban on athlete Kane Koteka for the Presence and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr Koteka, a Rugby Union player contracted to Western Force in the Super Rugby Pacific Competition at the time, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an Out-of-Competition doping control test on 16 December 2022.
Mr Koteka’s sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of Ostarine (Enobosarm) was detected.
The substance Ostarine (Enobosarm) is listed under Class S1.2 (Other Anabolic Agents) under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2022 (Prohibited List 2022). The substance Ostarine (Enobosarm) is a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
SIA determined that on and/or before 16 December 2022 Mr Koteka Used a Prohibited Substance, namely Ostarine (Enobosarm).
However, SIA also determined, that Mr Koteka had established, to a ‘balance of probability’ standard, that the presence of the Prohibited Substance in Mr Koteka’s system and the Use of Ostarine (Enobosarm) was likely due to cross-contamination which occurred in a private setting, and that Mr Koteka:
- did not use the Prohibited Substance intentionally;
- did not engage in conduct that he knew constituted an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV); and
- did not manifestly disregard a significant risk that he may be engaging in conduct that might result in an ADRV.
As a result, Mr Koteka’s base period of Ineligibility was two years on account of the lack of intentionality and this was further reduced by six months on account of Mr Koteka having established ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence’ applied.
The reduced ban of one year and six months commenced on 3 February 2023.
Mr Koteka is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 3 August 2024. He is also not permitted to compete in competitions authorised by any non-signatory professional league or any international or national-level Event organisation or any elite or national-level sporting activity funded by a governmental agency.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to uphold the decision rendered by the World Rugby Independent Judicial Committee and impose a four-year ban on athlete Kristian Jensen for the Presence of a Prohibited Substance and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr Jensen returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an Out-of-Competition doping control test on 28 November 2021 in Dubai (UAE). At the time, Mr Jensen was in Dubai to compete in the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series with the Australian Men’s Rugby Sevens team.
Mr Jensen’s sample was analysed at the Laboratoire Suisse d’Analyse du Dopage in Lausanne, Switzerland, and the presence of trifluoro-1-hydroxyethyl-methoxypyrrolidinyl-2-trifluoromethyl-bezonitrile (metabolite of LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)) was detected.
The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is listed under Class S1.2 (Other Anabolic Agents) under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2021 (Prohibited List 2021). The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
Mr Jensen’s four-year ban commenced on 22 December 2021.
Mr Jensen is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 22 December 2025. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league, or Event organised by a non-Signatory International Event organisation or a non-Signatory national-level Event organisation.
Sport Integrity Australia today acknowledged the decision of Football Australia to impose a ban of two-years and nine-months on athlete Damian Tsekenis for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances.
Mr Tsekenis, who played for the Central Coast Mariners, returned Adverse Analytical Findings from an out-of-competition doping control test on 23 March 2022.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Prohibited Substances Ostarine and its metabolite Hydroxy-ostarine, and Ibutamoren.
It was determined that on and/or before 23 March 2022 Mr Tsekenis used Prohibited Substances, namely Ostarine and Ibutamoren.
In addition, it was also determined:
- On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 31 October 2021, Mr Tsekenis used and/or attempted to use a Prohibited Substance, namely LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).
- On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 21 March 2022, Mr Tsekenis used and/or attempted to use a Prohibited Substance, namely RAD140.
- On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 31 October 2021, he possessed a Prohibited Substance, namely LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).
- On and/or around 1 January 2021 to on and/or around 21 March 2022, he possessed a Prohibited Substance, namely RAD140.
Mr Tsekenis is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 December 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
Ostarine, LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and RAD140 are Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) and are prohibited at all times under the S1 Anabolic Agent category of the WADA Prohibited List.
SARMs are promoted as selective non-steroidal anabolic agents. They are claimed to be substances that induce muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use. However, the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials.
It should be noted that a number of SARMs have associated health-risks, particularly for the heart and liver.
Sport Integrity Australia is committed to protecting the right of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious doping activity, you can report it anonymously via the Sport Integrity Australia website or call us on 1300 027 232.
Sport Integrity Australia recommends you check all of your substances before you take them on the Sport Integrity app. For more information visit: Sport Integrity Australia website.
Sport Integrity Australia is among almost 30 major Australian sporting organisations that helped Australia’s online safety regulator to develop new resources to stem the tide of online abuse.
Launched today by the eSafety Commissioner, eSafety Sport is an online one-stop-shop for administrators, coaches, officials, parents and competitors to learn ways to prevent and manage online abuse in community sport.
“There is no place for abuse in sport and that includes online abuse,” Sport Integrity Australia’s Acting CEO Luke McCann said. “We all have a role in calling out poor behaviour but to do so we must understand the risks and educate ourselves in how we can secure a positive and inclusive future in Australian sport.”
eSafety Sport includes practical information on how to recognise online abuse, how to deal with online abuse, eight ways to stay safe online and promotional resources for clubs to download and show their support. It also includes tailored advice for different scenarios.
“Whether you’re a participant, volunteer, parent or fan, the eSafety Sport resources are invaluable. They include online safety tips and resources to help us all to #PlayItFairOnline.”
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said she hopes eSafety Sport will change online conversations for the better.
“Our challenge is to help people understand that being abusive or offensive towards the opposition, the referee or the coach doesn't help the sport you love,” Ms Inman Grant said.
“On the receiving end of every piece of online vitriol is a person: someone’s child, mum, neighbour, friend, uncle or sister. Let's recognise that online abuse is taking an emotional and mental toll on the very people who make sport happen.”
eSafety Sport is a collaboration between eSafety, Sport Integrity Australia the signatories to the Online Safety Statement of Commitment, Play by the Rules, Athletics Australia, Office of Sport NSW and SportWest.
Visit eSafety.gov.au/Sport to access the community sport resources and online safety advice.
Whether you’re involved in sport at the elite level or watching a team of enthusiastic five-year-olds bouncing, passing or kicking a ball in the grassroots environment, it’s possible you might have seen poor sideline behaviour in sport at some stage.
Although the vast majority of spectators cheer and support their kids and teams with joy and passion, there are growing instances where verbal and online abuse is directed at players, referees, coaches, support staff, other spectators and even volunteers.
It has an impact not only on the mental health of individuals but on the people around them and is being seen as a continuing threat to the integrity of sport in Australia and overseas.
In September 2022, we published a story in Sport Integrity Matters magazine about “The Ugly Side of Sport” after speaking to a referee, coach, club volunteer, player and journalist to get their perspectives on the toll sideline abuse is taking.
Reflecting on his own career Ben Williams, a retired A-League, Asian Football Confederation and FIFA World Cup referee, said: “Unfortunately many young referees don’t get to experience these phenomenal moments because they’ve left their career early due to abuse.”
“In my career I encountered death threats directed at my wife and my children, which meant they no longer felt safe in their own home. There is definitely no place for this in sport.”
A community sports club president, Neil Harlock, cited a scourge of abuse in his sport which not only impacted the mental health of players but flowed through to club volunteers, the referee base and spectators.
“To hear threats and slurs from the crowd firstly renders as disbelief among the team, clear shock and emotion can be seen, which then affects performances,” he said about the abuse directed at his National Premier League first grade men’s team.
“It then manifests as insecurity as this is essentially their workplace for the time they are on and around the field.
“At the grassroots and amateur level in a very large club essentially run by volunteers, we often feel limited in what we can do from a safety and security point of view. There’s the feeling that there’s a potential and very real danger.”
Discussions between sporting organisations, clubs and government suggest that some sports are becoming increasingly competitive from a younger age with high emotion attached from the spectator base, thus leading to undue pressure being placed on kids which flows through to coaches and officials.
Let Kids Be Kids is a national campaign created by Play by the Rules to help clubs at grassroots level bring policies to life and actively address poor sideline behaviour via posters, toolkits and campaign messaging.
Elaine Heaney, National Manager of Play By The Rules, would much rather kids turn up to practice and had fun playing with their friends than forced into a situation where they are being yelled at or berated for not winning a game or making a call whilst they are still learning the rules and developing their skills.
“Adult sideline spectators often mean well and are enthusiastic about their contributions, because they enjoy being part of the process,” said Elaine, “but sometimes it’s important to stop to think about the impact of their words on the child or young person – and how it feels for a small human to have a large adult raise their voice at them.
“If the child or young person (or even another adult) feels berated or upset by what has been said, is it worth it? It’s not about removing winning or healthy competition from sport but about focusing on the fact that happy, healthy athletes operating in a safe space, often produce much better results, and keep people playing the sports we love.”
From grassroots to elite sport, the problem often grows as the stakes get higher.
Jenna O’Hea, former Australian Opals captain, feels the popularity of betting has added another layer of abuse of athletes with people losing money often blaming the athletes for their financial loss.
“This is where I see it is getting worse and is taking the biggest toll on athletes,” she said.
“As athletes we know that fans are passionate about sport but crossing the line with personal attacks, racism, any type of attack is never OK and just because you’re behind a keyboard, that doesn’t make it any less abusive than a face-to-face attack.”
Each situation and experience with poor sideline behaviour and online abuse in sport is different, with some impacts short-term and others everlasting. Regardless of the magnitude and severity there’s no place for sideline abuse in sport at any level.
In summing up his experiences, community club president Neil Harlock said, “My seven-year-old daughter came to me recently and said ‘Dad, were there any fights at the footy today?’ I was mortified!”
“Our children deserve more than this. Our players, volunteers, young referees, coaches and the families who come to cheer on their teams, all deserve more than this.”
Sport Integrity Australia is committed to Australian sport environments that are safe, supportive and friendly for children and young people.
It is essential everyone involved with delivering sport in Australia – Boards, committees, administrators, volunteers, coaches, parents or participants – understand the important legal and governance responsibilities they have in relation to child safety.
It’s also important that young people understand what a safe environment is, their rights and where they can go for help.
Sport Integrity Australia has developed specific safeguarding resources for clubs and sporting organisations at all levels of the sport, for parents and carers and for young people and children (aged 7-12 and 13-17).
Knowing our rights and obligations is the first step in ensuring that participation in sport is safe, supportive and friendly for all.
Our resources can be found at: Resources | Sport Integrity Australia.
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Most comprehensive programme ever implemented in competition’s history
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All 835 tests conducted in and out of competition by FIFA yield negative results
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More than 25% increase in tests per team compared to France 2019
FIFA has implemented the most comprehensive FIFA Women’s World Cup™ anti-doping programme ever, with the 835 in- and out-of-competition tests conducted up to and including the quarter-finals yielding negative results.
Every participating team was tested in unannounced doping controls before the competition and further systematic tests have also been performed during the event, with post-match controls as well as tests on non-matchdays for the teams. With the aim of ensuring the most meaningful and intelligence-based programme, all tests were targeted based on key criteria, including recommendations from FIFA’s Athlete Passport Management Unit, potential injuries suffered by the players, performance data and the players’ testing history.
The testing programme has been implemented in coordination with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) and Drug Free Sport New Zealand (DFSNZ), with FIFA’s Athlete Passport Management Unit, composed of independent experts, reviewing player data to detect potential deviations that may indicate the abuse of performance-enhancing drugs.
The breakdown of test figures from the lead-up to and during the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ is as follows:
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835 tests conducted directly by FIFA – 449 pre-tournament and 386 during the tournament (up to and including the quarter-finals); additional tests implemented by national anti-doping organisations and the confederations in 2023
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1,711 samples produced in the tests conducted by FIFA (824 urine, 415 blood, 409 blood passport and 63 dried blood spot samples)
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More than 25% increase in tests conducted per participating team in comparison to the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™
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All 32 participating teams were tested in advance of the tournament
All samples collected were analysed at WADA-accredited laboratories, with most of the analyses carried out at the laboratory in Sydney, Australia.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the Australian Weightlifting Federation to sanction athlete Nathan Mortensen for the presence of prohibited substances and their metabolites and the use and possession of prohibited substances.
Mr Mortensen returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an out-of-competition doping control test on 10 September 2020.
Blood is the vital fluid delivering essential substances like oxygen and nutrients to our body’s cells. Made up of plasma, red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, it’s constantly circulating through our body as the moving force we need in order to exist.
Blood testing is also a vital part of the anti-doping repertoire.
Sport Integrity Australia today acknowledged the decision of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) to sanction athlete Patrick Constable for the Presence of a prohibited substance.
Sport Integrity Australia first opened its doors on 1 July 2020 at a time when the sporting landscape in Australia was unlike anything we’ve ever seen: COVID-19 was impacting sporting competitions and, indeed, their very survival was in doubt. This, coupled with growing global unrest around the treatment of athletes, presented challenges beyond comprehension. Here we look at how Sport Integrity Australia responded, and some key milestones for our first 12 months.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges that Rugby Australia has imposed a three-year ban on athlete Marlon Jones for the Presence of a Prohibited Substance and/or its metabolites or markers and Use and Possession of a Prohibited Substance/s.
Mr Jones, who played with Bond University in the Queensland Premier Rugby Competition at the time, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding from an Out-of-Competition doping control test on 19 April 2022.
Mr Jones’ sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of Di-hydroxy LGD-4033 (metabolite of LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)) and 4-hydroxy-clomiphene and hydroxy-methoxyclomiphene (metabolites of Clomiphene) were detected.
The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is listed under Class S1.2 (Other Anabolic Agents) of the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List 2022 and the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List 2021 and is prohibited at all times. Clomiphene is listed under Class S4.2 (Anti-Estrogenic Substances) and is also prohibited at all times.
It was also determined that:
- On and/or before 19 April 2022, Mr Jones Used the Prohibited Substance/s LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) and Clomiphene;
- From on and/or around 24 November 2021 to on and/or around 5 March 2022, Mr Jones Possessed the Prohibited Substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol); and
- From on and/or around 1 March 2022 to on and/or around 8 April 2022, Mr Jones Possessed the Prohibited Substance Clomiphene.
Mr Jones’ ban was reduced by 12 months following a full admission of the alleged anti-doping rule violations.
Rugby Australia thereby imposed a three-year ban on Mr Jones commencing on 5 March 2022.
Mr Jones is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 5 March 2025. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-Signatory International Event organisation or a non-Signatory national-level Event organisation.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
Clomiphene, also known as Clomid, is intended for the treatment of infertility, primarily in women but is also used off-label for male infertility. The use in males can cause increased testosterone. Clomiphene is not currently medically approved for male use and can cause side effects including headaches, gynaecomastia and blurred vision.
LGD-4033 (Ligandrol), originally developed for the treatment of muscle wasting conditions such as aging, osteoporosis, muscular dystrophy and cancer, is promoted as a selective non-steroidal anabolic agent. It is claimed to be a substance that induces muscle (and bone) growth without the side effects associated with steroid use. However, information on the safety of LGD-4033 is scarce due to a lack of medium and long-term clinical trials - hence the medium and long-term health impacts are unknown.
It should be noted that a number of SARMs have associated health-risks, particularly for the heart and liver.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the Queensland Rugby League (QRL) to impose a two year and eight months ban on athlete William Boland, for the Presence of a metabolite of a Prohibited Substance, Use of a Prohibited Substance and Possession of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr Boland, who played for the Redcliffe Dolphins, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an Out-of-Competition doping control test on 22 June 2022.
Mr Boland’s sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of a metabolite of a Prohibited Substance, namely Di-hydroxy LGD-4033 (metabolite of LGD-4033 (Ligandrol)), was detected.
The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is listed under Class S1.2 (Other Anabolic Agents) under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2022 (Prohibited List 2022). The substance LGD-4033 (Ligandrol) is a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
It was also determined that on and/or before 22 June 2022 Mr Boland Used a Prohibited Substance, namely LGD-4033 (Ligandrol), and from on and/or around 6 December 2021 to on and/or around 18 May 2022 Mr Boland Possessed a Prohibited Substance, namely LGD-4033 (Ligandrol).
Queensland Rugby League thereby imposed a two year and eight months ban on Mr Boland commencing on 18 May 2022.
Mr Boland is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 18 January 2025. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-signatory International Event organisation or a non-Signatory national-level Event organisation.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the Australian Weightlifting Federation to impose a 12-year ban on athlete Andrew Ciancio for the Presence of a metabolite of a Prohibited Substance and Use of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr Ciancio, an athlete in the sport of weightlifting, returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an Out-of-Competition doping control test on 5 September 2022.
Mr Ciancio’s sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of 3α-hydroxy-2α-methyl-5α-androstan-17-one (metabolite of Drostanolone) was detected.
The substance Drostanolone is listed under Class S1.1 Anabolic Agents (Anabolic Androgenic Steroids) under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2022 (Prohibited List 2022). The substance Drostanolone is a Non-Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
It was determined that on and/or before 5 September 2022 Mr Ciancio Used a Prohibited Substance, namely Drostanolone.
Mr Ciancio’s Anti-Doping Rule Violations in relation to his doping control test on 5 September 2022 were considered his ‘second violation’ within a ten-year period.
The Australian Weightlifting Federation thereby imposed a 12-year ban on Mr Ciancio commencing on 5 September 2022.
Mr Ciancio is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 5 September 2034. He is also not permitted to compete in a non-Signatory professional league or Event organised by a non-Signatory International Event organisation or a non-Signatory national-level event organisation.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of AusCycling to impose a three-year ban on athlete Jackson Sharples for the Presence, Use, Use and/or Attempted Use, and Possession of Prohibited Substances.
Mr Sharples returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) from an In-Competition doping control test during the National Road Cycling Championships Masters Criterium on 14 January 2022.
His sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, which detected the presence of Anastrozole and its metabolite OH-Anastrozole, and Exogenous Testosterone and its metabolites Etiocholanolone, Androsterone and 5βAdiol.
It was also determined that on and/or before 14 January 2022, Mr Sharples used Anastrozole and Testosterone.
In addition, it was also determined:
- Between 16 August 2021 and 31 December 2021, Mr Sharples used and/or attempted to use Ipamorelin and/or DHEA.
- Between 16 August 2021 and 31 December 2021, Mr Sharples possessed Testosterone and/or Anastrozole and/or Ipamorelin and/or DHEA.
Mr Sharples is ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 31 December 2024.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE
Under category S1 of the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List, Testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) are anabolic agents prohibited both in-and out-of-competition.
Anabolic agents pose many threats to an athlete’s health and some side effects may include an increase in blood pressure and cholesterol levels which can lead to heart disease. Liver disease and infertility can also result from the use of these agents.
The substance Anastrozole is a class S4.1 substance under the World Anti-Doping Code Prohibited List 2021. Anastrozole is classified as a Specified Substance and is prohibited at all times.
Anastrozole is a hormone and metabolic modulator prescribed to treat early breast cancer.
As the use of hormone and metabolic modulators interferes with the normal functioning nature of hormones, the endocrine system that controls these hormones is significantly impacted. This interferes can therefore increases the risk of severe illnesses.
Ipamorelin is a selective growth hormone for weight loss and is listed as a class S2.2 substance under the WADA Prohibited List. It is prohibited at all times.
Every year Sport Integrity Australia revises its Anti-Doping Education Plan in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code International Standard of Education. The plan details our goals, objectives, resources, target audiences, interventions, and key activities for anti-doping education for each financial year. It helps us ensure Australian athletes and sports personnel are getting the best education possible in this space.
The 2022-2023 financial year saw us deliver education across five key target areas:
- National Sporting Organisations (NSOs)
- School and tertiary education
- Medical practitioners
- Digital and online, and
- International engagement and research.
Sport Integrity Australia Director of Education Alexis Cooper says tracking our education across all elements of sport integrity is important to ensuring we’re staying ahead of the game when it comes to keeping sport safe, fair and healthy for everyone.
“We’ve achieved some great reach this year through our education deliverables, but as with anything, there is always an opportunity for improvement,” she says when reviewing the results.
“More than 140 education sessions were delivered to over 5,400 people and while we’d have liked to have done a little bit more, this figure is still a 70% increase on 2021-22 and brings our program back in line with pre-COVID levels. Feedback from these sessions indicated that over 99% of attendees felt they had a better understanding of the anti-doping rules following their attendance, and our presenters received an average rating of 9.3 out of 10.”
Working with sports on their education is an essential part of ensuring maximum reach for best results.
“In regard to education plans within NSOs we now have 91 Anti-Doping Education Plans in place which is the greatest number of education plans endorsed by sport since they were first developed. We’d like 100% compliance in 2023-24 and will continue to work towards that result.”
Finding new and innovative ways to deliver education to ensure all learning styles are catered for is a particular focus each year.
“Our Decision Making in Sport Virtual Reality sessions continue to grow within schools and pathways sports, and our Managing Integrity in Sport course in conjunction with Victoria University reached another 60 sport administrators last financial year. The 2023 Annual Update online course has been completed by 19,282 people and our Health Effects app was updated to ensure greater athlete reach.”
Ms Cooper says growing our education through partnerships, collaborations, new technologies and additional resources will continue to be a focus for the coming 12 months.
“Safety in sport does not stop at the border, so both national and international approaches are key if we want to remain at the forefront of sport integrity,” she says. “Continuing our active involvement in the WADA Global Learning and Development Framework for Education, and our close working relationships with our international counterparts helps to enhance the education we offer both in Australia and globally.”
Further deliverables will be included in the Sport Integrity Australia education plan for 2023-24 to ensure continual improvement for maximum reach and best results.
To find out more about the education we offer, head to the Education page of our website.
While education is an essential part of our commitment to clean, far sport, we don’t limit our education to anti-doping. In addition to the improper use of medicines and the dangers of substances and supplements, our education extends to all areas of our remit including safeguarding, member protection, competition manipulation and match-fixing.
Our Safeguarding in Sport Continuous Improvement Program provides a nationally consistent approach to child safeguarding in sport.
The program was developed by Sport Integrity Australia with the help of some National Sport Organisations who were part of a pilot program over a six-month period.
Sport Integrity Australia Director of Safeguarding Lisa Purves said the purpose of the pilot program was to develop a robust audit framework to support the implementation of the program.
“Sport Integrity Australia recognises the significant work that has been completed by Gymnastics, Rugby and Equestrian since the pilot program concluded,” Ms Purves said. “All three sports have made significant strides in their safeguarding journey.
“Their practical insights and context provided valuable feedback which have shaped the final program design.”
She said key learnings and insights were gathered from the pilot sports.
Critically, the pilot sports identified key resources required for the sector, including the Child Safety Risk Management and Guide, Safeguarding Risk Identification Library and the Third-Party Contractor Guide.
Sport Integrity Australia is currently finalising these child safe risk management tools, which will be made available to all sports towards the end of 2023.
At the conclusion of the pilot program, three sports – Gymnastics Australia, Rugby Australia and Equestrian Australia – have continued to work with Sport Integrity Australia to develop their Recognise Phase Action Plans aimed at maturing their member protection and child safeguarding practices.
Sport Integrity Australia also congratulates the following sports who have since signed up to the program, demonstrating a commitment providing a safe sport environment for their members: AusCycling, Basketball Australia, DanceSport Australia, Disability Sports Australia, Disabled Winter Sports Australia, Netball Australia, Orienteering Australia, Pony Club Australia, Softball Australia, Squash Australia, Surf Life Saving Australia, Swimming Australia, Triathlon Australia and Volleyball Australia.
Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of Basketball Australia to impose a one-month ban on Tahjere McCall for the Presence of a metabolite of a Prohibited Substance.
Mr McCall, an American professional basketball player who is contracted to the Cairns Taipans in the National Basketball League (NBL), returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) from an In-Competition doping control test on 3 February 2023 at the Perth v Cairns game at RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia.
Mr McCall’s sample was analysed at the Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, part of the National Measurement Institute, and the presence of 11-nor-delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (metabolite of Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)) was detected.
The substance THC is listed under class S8 (Cannabinoids) and is classified as a Specified Substance under the World Anti-Doping Code – International Standard – Prohibited List – 2023 (2023 Prohibited List) and is prohibited In-Competition. THC is also classified as a ‘Substance of Abuse’ under the 2023 Prohibited List.
As of 1 January 2021, under Article 10.2.4.1 of the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021 (ANADP), if an Athlete tests positive to a 'Substance of Abuse’ (such as Marijuana or Cocaine), then the Athlete’s period of Ineligibility may be reduced to three months if the Athlete is able to prove that the substance was ingested or Used Out-of-Competition and was unrelated to sport performance.
In addition, the Athlete’s period of Ineligibility calculated under Article 10.2.4.1 of the ANADP may be further reduced to one month if the Athlete satisfactorily completes a Substance of Abuse treatment program approved by Sport Integrity Australia.
In Mr McCall’s case, all requirements for a reduction in the period of Ineligibility under Article 10.2.4.1 of the ANADP were satisfied.
Basketball Australia thereby imposed a one-month period of Ineligibility on Mr McCall, commencing on 21 June 2023.
Mr McCall was ineligible to participate in any sports that have adopted a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy until 21 July 2023.
Published Tuesday, 14 December 2021.
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