Anti-Doping: #BoxClean

Doping is contrary to the spirit of our sport. Every boxer, coach, club administrator, bout official, elected official, clubs and unit has a responsibility to ensure Boxing is free of doping. 

Members are bound by this policy, and by the provisions of Rule 7.5 of IABA’s Rulebook: 

To abide by the spirit and terms of the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Programme and its rules, including application of sanctions to athletes or other persons, and to respect the authority of, and co-operate with, Sport Ireland, the Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel and Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on all matters to which its rules relate.” 

IABA Rulebook, 2019

This responsibility is expressed by: 

  • Boxers in not taking banned substances, being educated and informed on what constitutes a banned and the potential sanctions they may face for taking a banned substance
  • Coaches in affirming the anti-doping ethos to boxers and understanding their duty as coaches to platform clean sport 
  • Bout officials and elected officials in upholding the ethos of anti-doping. 
  • Clubs signposting access to anti-doping learning tools provided by IABA. 
  • Units, including county boards and provincial units, in affirming to clubs the importance of access to anti-doping learning tools provided by the IABA 

It is IABA’s responsibility to make available to members Sport Ireland and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) anti-doping codes and regulations.

It is IABA’s responsibility to make available to members anti-doping eLearning tools and learning opportunities. 

IABA advises all members to read and understand Sport Ireland and WADA anti-doping rules and to understand your responsibilities under the rules.  

Anti-doping programmes are founded upon the spirit of sport and seek to protect the
health of Athletes and to provide the opportunity for Athletes to pursue human
excellence without the Use of Prohibited Substances or Prohibited Methods. Antidoping programmes seek to maintain the integrity of sport in terms of respect for rules,
other competitors, fair competition, a level playing field, and the value of clean sport to
the world.

Sport Ireland

Boxer responsibilities, as defined by Sport Ireland Anti Doping Rules:

  • To know what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation.
  • To know what substances and methods are on the Prohibited List.
  • To know the requirements of these Rules.
  • To comply with these Rules in all respects.
  • To take full responsibility, in the context of anti-doping, for what they ingest and Use.
  • To carry out research regarding any product or substance which they intend to ingest or Use, prior to such ingestion or Use to ensure compliance with these Rules. This research shall, at a minimum, include a reasonable internet search of (1) the name of the product or substance, (2) the ingredients/substances listed on the product or substance label, and (3) other related information revealed through research of points (1) and (2).
  • To inform medical personnel of their obligation not to Use Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods and to take responsibility to make sure that any medical treatment received does not infringe these Rules.
  • To make himself or herself available for Sample collection at all times9
  • To provide complete, accurate and up to date Whereabouts Filings if he or she is included in a Registered Testing Pool;
  • To co-operate fully with Sport Ireland and any other Anti-Doping Organisation conducting investigations into possible anti-doping rule violations10
  • Failure by any Athlete to co-operate fully with an investigation into possible anti-doping rule violations, may be a breach of his or her National Governing Body’s disciplinary rules / codes of conduct and may be a breach of the terms and conditions of funding or other support received from the National Governing Body or from Sport Ireland.
  • To disclose to Sport Ireland and the applicable International Federation any decision by a non-Signatory finding that he or she committed an anti-doping rule violation within the previous ten years.
  • To disclose the identity of their Athlete Support Persons upon request by Sport Ireland or any Anti-Doping Organisation with authority over the Athlete.
  • Offensive conduct by any Athlete towards a Doping Control official or other Person involved in Doping Control by an Athlete, which does not otherwise constitute Tampering, may be a breach of his or her National Governing Body’s disciplinary rules / codes of conduct and may be a breach of the terms and conditions of funding or other support received from the National Governing Body or from Sport Ireland

Coach/support personnel responsibilities, as defined by Sport Ireland Anti Doping Rules

  • To know what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation.
  • To know what substances and methods are on the Prohibited List.
  • To know the requirements of these Rules.
  • To comply with these Rules in all respects
  • Not to Use or Possess any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method without
  • valid justification11
  • To co-operate fully with the Testing of Athletes.
  • To use their influence on Athletes’ values and behaviour to foster anti-doping
  • attitudes.
  • To co-operate with Sport Ireland and any other Anti-Doping Organisation conducting investigations into possible anti-doping rule violations12
  • .Failure by any Athlete Support Person to co-operate fully with an investigation into possible anti- doping rule violations, may be a breach of his or her National Governing Body’s disciplinary rules / codes of conduct and may be a breach of the terms and conditions of funding or other support received from the National Governing Body or from Sport Ireland.
  • To disclose to Sport Ireland and the applicable International Federation any decision by a non-Signatory finding that they committed an anti-doping rule violation within the previous ten years.
  • Offensive conduct by any Athlete Support Person towards a Doping Control official or other Person involved in Doping Control by an Athlete, which does not otherwise constitute Tampering, may be a breach of his or her National Governing Body’s disciplinary rules / codes of conduct and may be a breach of the terms and conditions of funding or other support received from the National Governing Body or from Sport Ireland.
  • Use or Possession by an Athlete Support Person of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method may be a breach of his or her National Governing Body’s disciplinary rules / codes of conduct.

Notes:

WADA has made several amendments to Anti Doping Rules, and Sport Ireland has summarised those changes and how they may impact Irish athletes, here while Anti Doping Rules current in effect, in full, can be found here

IABA Anti-Doping Officer, Larry Morrison, can be contacted on 086 029 2476 or larry@iaba.ie.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

1. Presence of a Prohibited Substance in an Athlete’s Sample

2. Use or Attempted Use by an Athlete of a Prohibited Substance or a Prohibited Method

3. Refusing or failing to do a drug test after notification

4. Committing Three Whereabouts Failures (Filing Failures or Missed Tests) in 12 months

5. Tampering

6. Possession of Prohibited Substances and/or Prohibited Methods

7. Trafficking in any Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method

8. Administration to an Athlete of any Prohibited Method or Prohibited Substance; assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up

9. Complicity or Attempted Complicity  – Involvement in an ADRV committed by another person, such as helping to cover up that ADRV or avoid detection, will be sanctioned in the same way as that violation.

10. Prohibited Association -Associating with a person such as a coach, doctor or physio who has been found guilty of an ADRV or equivalent offence to a doping violation will be sanctioned with a ban of up to 2 years.

11. Protection of Whistle-blowers – it is an ADRV to threaten another person or to discourage that person from reporting to authorities of information relating to an ADRV, non-compliance with the Code or other doping activity, or to retaliate against another person for doing so

Sport Ireland Anti Doping Panel Disciplinary Procedures are available here

Anti Doping Knowledge & Resource Centre

Sport Ireland’s Anti Doping eLearning tool is available here

WADA’s Anti Doping eLearning tool is available here

Medications – Athletes must check all of their over the counter and prescription medication. All medications purchased in the Republic of Ireland must be checked on Medcheck Sport Ireland

Medications purchased in Northern Ireland or the United Kingdom can be checked on www.globaldro.org

If the medication is prohibited athletes must consult Sport Irelands TUE Policy.

If athletes are unable to find the medication on the medication checking website they must not take the medication they should contact Sport Ireland by phone or email

Supplements – Many boxers may wish to take supplements for general wellbeing. However, boxers should be aware that

  • You MUST undertake thorough internet research of any supplement products before it is consumed.
  • This search should include the name of the product and the ingredients/substances listed.
  • Information revealed as a result should be further investigated and we advise athletes to keep evidence of their research.
  • Screen shots should be taken and the results saved in a folder. All saved information should be backed up.

www.informed-sport.com is a risk minimisation tool that can be used to access supplements that have been batch tested.

Sport Ireland’s Supplement Guide is available here

Athlete Whereabouts

RTP Athletes must avoid committing a Whereabouts Failure

A Whereabouts Failure is either a Filing Failure or a Missed Test:

  • Filing Failure – If an athlete fails to return his/her quarterly Whereabouts Filing by the stated deadlines, fully and accurately completed, this may result in a Filing Failure and the athlete may also lose any funding they are receiving from the Council or any other organisation.
  • Missed Test – If an athlete fails to be available for Testing at the location and time specified in the 60-minute time slot identified in his or her Whereabouts Filing for the day in question it may result in a Missed Test and the athlete may also lose any funding they are receiving from the Council or any other organisation.

Logging your Whereabouts

Athletes can login to update their whereabouts here

If you have forgotten to activate your account contact Michael McNulty, Anti Doping Executive on  mmcnulty@sportireland.ie for new login details.

Registered Testing Pool

What is the Registered Testing Pool (RTP)?

The RTP is a list of elite athletes, agreed between the NGB and Sport Ireland, who meet certain criteria (outlined below). Sport Ireland will notify in writing athletes that are included in the RTP.

Criteria for inclusion in the Registered Testing Pool

One or more of the following criteria is used to select an athlete for inclusion in the Registered Testing Pool:

  • Athletes on the carding scheme in the Contract, World Class and International categories
  • Athletes in the developmental category from high risk sports listed in the Council’s Test Distribution Plan and other sports targeted by the Council
  • Olympic or Paralympic Qualifiers
  • Athletes who are included in an International Federation RTP
  • Any athlete currently serving a period of ineligibility
  • Any athlete who wishes to return from retirement and was previously in the Registered Testing Pool
  • Any other athlete that is required to be target tested under Clause 4.4.2 of the International Standard for Testing

What happens in a drug test:

Notification

A Doping Control Officer (DCO)/Chaperone will notify you if you have been selected for testing-either urine, blood or both.

Your Rights:

  • Request to see the testers ID cards
  • Bring a representative with you e.g. parent, team doctor, coach
  • Request to have an interpreter (if necessary)
  • Request information regarding the sample collection procedure
  • Request necessary modifications to the sample collection procedure if you  have an impairment.
  •  
  • Request a delay  in reporting to the Doping Control Station (DCS), where the tester will remain with you, for valid reasons such as:
  • In-Competition: Participation in a victory ceremony; Fulfillment of  media    commitments; Competing in further competitions; Performing a warm down; Receiving necessary medical treatment; Locating a representative and/or interpreter; Obtaining photo identification; Any other exceptional circumstances which may be justified, and which shall be documented 
  • Out-of-Competition: Locating a representative and/or interpreter; Completing a training session; Receiving necessary medical treatment; Obtaining photo identification; Any other exceptional circumstances which can be justified, and which shall be documented
     
  • Be provided with a choice of a minimum of 3 sample collection equipment including sample collection vessels and kits.
  • Record comments about the sample collection procedure on the Doping Control Form
  • Receive copies of all documentation you have signed
     
     
    Your Responsibilities:
    Click each icon to see your responsibilities. You will need to view all points to complete this section.
     
  • Co-operate with the DCO and Chaperones during the sample collection procedure
  • You must stay within the sight of the DCO/Chaperone at all times until you have provided your sample and are released by the DCO
  • You must comply with the sample collection procedures; the first sample that you provide, after notification, must be at the DCS; you must retain control of your urine sample until it is securely sealed.
  • You should avoid excessive re-hydration as a there is a requirement to produce a sample with a suitable Specific Gravity for analysis.
  • Report immediately to the Doping Control Station (DCS) for a test unless there is a valid reason for a delay.
  • Produce photo identification, when requested, to the DCO/Chaperone
  • Ensure all applicable documentation is accurate, complete and signed off
  • If you choose to consume food or fluids prior to providing a sample it is at your own risk.

Athlete Selection

Testing takes place in two situations in-competition and out-of-competition.

In-Competition

In-Competition testing takes place at sporting events. Selection can be random or targeted, from members of a team/squad or athletes entering a competition. Selection can also be based on criteria such as finish position, jersey numbers, discipline or targeted for a particular reason. Athletes who have not taken part in the competition, e.g. reserves or non-starters, are still subject to doping control.

Out-of-Competition

Out-of-Competition testing takes place anytime, anywhere, with no advance notice.  If you are on a Registered Testing Pool (RTP*), you will be required to provide whereabouts information and could be tested at home, at your training location, overseas or other relevant locations.  Teams/National Squads are mainly tested at team/squad training sessions but athletes may also be tested at other locations including their homes.
*The RTP is a pool of athletes who are subject to both in- and out-of-competition testing, who must meet whereabouts and TUE requirements of Sport Ireland. Individual athletes are informed in writing of their inclusion in the RTP.

Sample Collection

One or more urine and/or blood samples will be collected from you during the sample collection process.

Witness

The Chaperone/DCO must witness the sample leave your body and enter the vessel with a clear and unobstructed view. You must ensure that the Sample Collection Vessel remains in the sight of the Chaperone/DCO while you provide your sample.

 You will be asked to adjust clothing so that mid-chest to knees are visible and you will need to roll up your sleeves from your wrist to your elbow; if necessary, you may need to adjust your position so that a clear view is possible.

Under 18

U18 – Your representative may be present in the toilet area to witness the actions of the Chaperone/DCO; if as an U18 athlete you would prefer not to use your own representative, you can liaise with the Chaperone/DCO to organise another appropriate person to witness the actions of the Chaperone/DCO.

Key Points

  1. The chaperone will be of the same gender as the athlete
  2. Avoid excessive rehydration
  3. Ensure you are ready to provide your sample
  4. The athlete should stay in control of their sample at all times nobody else should touch the sample until it is sealed
  5. Remember you select your own sample collection vessels and bereg kits from a minimum choice of
  6. Keep a list of the names, dose and route of administration of all medicines and supplements you are taking to complete the paperwork.
     
  1. All blood collection officers are qualified phlebotomists
  2. If you have been training you may have to wait 2 hours before the blood can be drawn
  3. Only 3-5ml of blood will be taken
  4. If you have a phobia of needles please inform the BCO

Sample Analysis

Samples are sent to a WADA accredited laboratory for analysis. 

The laboratory receives a copy of the Doping Control Form that reveals none of your personal details. 

On arrival at a WADA accredited laboratory, the A sample is opened and analysed and the B sample is securely stored. 

On receipt of the samples, laboratory staff complete checks on the integrity of the sample (signs of tampering,  correlation between sample code numbers on forms and those on the bottles) before proceeding with the analysis of the sample.

Results Management

The laboratory sends the result to Sport Ireland who will then forward the result to your National Governing Body (NGB).

It is the responsibility of your NGB to notify you of the result in writing. If you have not received your result from your NGB within 6 weeks of the sample collection, please contact your NGB for the result. 

A copy of the result is sent to WADA by the lab to ensure accountability in the process. In the case of an adverse analytical finding, you will be contacted directly by Sport Ireland.  It takes longer for the laboratory to process blood tests, so in general it will be about ten weeks before you receive a result for blood tests. 

If an Anti-Doping Rule Violation is detected, Sport Ireland’s Disciplinary Panel will convene, and operates under these rules and procedures