Anti-doping for Coaches
What you really need to know to
get started
Dr. Robin Goodfellow, Chairman AIBA Anti-Doping Sub-Commission
PLAY TRUE!
• This is the motto of the World Anti-Doping
Administration.
• WADA is the organization that monitors
doping for all sports in all countries that
agree to follow its rules.
Knock out Doping!
• This is our own AIBA motto
• AIBA belongs to WADA
These rules are for every one who participates.
These rules are changed regularly to keep up
with the times.
These rules are changed as needed to keep them
fair to all.
Why do we have these rules?
• People who use drugs and methods that
are not allowed are CHEATERS.
• These drugs and methods are meant to
enhance performance in illegal ways so
that the cheater will do better that the
boxer who “Plays True”.
IMPORTANT
• Cheaters should be punished and they are
when caught.
• It is not fair to the other athletes when the
cheater does better and wins.
• Unfortunately, some athletes do things that
are illegal because they don’t know or
don’t completely understand the rules.
• That is NOT an acceptable excuse.
Coach’s Responsibility
• As a coach, it is your responsibility to, at a
minimum, make sure your boxers know
that these rules exist and to try to teach
the rules to your boxers.
• You must show them where to find the
rules and be able to answer questions or
to refer them to someone who can.
• Remember, we are talking about the antidoping rules, not just the boxing rules.
continued
• The WADA rules are available on the website
www.wada-ama.org
• How can you be expected to understand or remember all
of that?
• You are not expected to do so, but you must know the
rules exist.
• The boxer is responsible in the long run for everything he
puts in his body, but you must help him understand this.
• Also the Coach is subject to suspension if he suggests
or supplies prohibited substances or if he knows they are
being used. Don’t even try – WADA will find you!
Prohibited Drug List
• Also contains methods of enhancing
performance and well as drugs (such as
transfusions).
• Some of the things on the list are actually
against the criminal laws, meaning the boxer
and his source can be arrested.
• Some of them can do harm to the athlete.
• Some are legitimate medicines that can be
prescribed by a doctor or bought at a drug store
“over the counter” without out a prescription.
Prohibited Drug List
Therapeutic Use Exemptions
• What if your boxer is taking one of these
drugs/medicines because his or her doctor prescribes it
to treat a medical disease or condition?
• Then it will be allowed (not a violation), but only if the
boxer has applied for and received permission from
WADA or the national antidoping agency. This is called
a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).
• The boxer and his doctor must fill out forms and send
them in a head of time.
• This can be very confusing and you and the boxer will
need help. Just remember that the boxer has to get
permission first. Ask for help from someone who knows
about this kind of thing such as a Ringside Doctor.
Labels
• Many of the medicines you buy without a
doctor’s prescription Do Not tell you every
thing that is in them !!!
• Diet pills, energy booster pills, cold pills
are good examples, but there are many
others.
• This is also true of many “diet
supplements” that claim to build muscle or
give you extra energy.
Warning!!
• Do not allow your boxer to take anything
that you do not know for sure is OK.
• How do you and the boxer know?
• Most of the time you can’t know, so DO
NOT TAKE THEM.
• Most healthy athletes really don’t need
them any way.
WARNING!!
• Sometimes the label uses a different name
for the chemical that is in there, but it’s not
the real chemical name that is used on the
Prohibited List.
• For instance, if you look up Geranium Oil
on the Prohibited List, it doesn’t say that.
However, the actual active ingredient goes
by a real chemical name that is listed.
WARNING!!
• Many things available are called Herbal or
Natural Medicines. Many actually do work.
• These are made up of a number of chemicals
(that’s true – natural chemicals). These won’t be
listed or even known.
• Do Not Take these, even if the pharmacist, the
guy on the corner, a “traditional” practitioner, the
internet, an advertisement or someone who is
not familiar with the Prohibited Drug List tells you
or the boxer that it is all right!!!
WARNING!!
• Even a well educated doctor of medicine
may give you bad advice, if he is not
aware of the Prohibited Drug List!
• If the boxer does get bad advice and uses
something not allowed, it is not an
acceptable excuse. He will be suspended.
However, if it really was an unknowning
error, he may get a reduction in the
suspension.
Conclusions for now. . .
• The coach must be aware of the existence of
anti-doping rules and make the boxer aware as
well.
• These rules exist to catch cheaters and make
our sport fair for all.
• Ultimately, with your help, the athlete is
responsible for everything that goes into his
body.
• The Prohibited Drug List exists and must be
followed. Ask for help when you don’t know.
• Remember the Therapeutic Use Exemption.
Cont.
• DO NOT ALLOW BOXERS TO USE
ANYTHING YOUR ARE NOT
ABSOLUTELY SURE ABOUT.
• Remember labels may well not list
everything in there or use the real
chemical name as it appears on the list.
• Do not trust just anyone to say it’s OK.
• Even real medicines may be on the
Prohibited List.
NOT THE END
• This lecture is not an accreditation course. It by
no means is meant to cover everything. There is
a lot more you will need to know about and
understand.
• You will have a reasonable start if you remember
that the anti-doping rules do exist and not to
allow your boxer to use any medicines, herbs,
supplements, drugs, magic potions, etc. unless
you know they are not prohibited.
Box Fair!
Play True!!
KNOCK OUT DRUGS!!!
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