New Anti-Doping Policy Strengthens UK’s Stand On Drug-Free Sport

UK Sport has stepped up its efforts in the fight for drug-free sport with the launch today of its new UK National Anti-Doping Policy. The Policy, which brings the UK in line with the World Anti-Doping Code, is applicable not only to all sports that are part of UK Sport’s anti-doping programme, but also all sports which receive funding from either UK Sport or one of the home country sports councils. The Policy is accompanied by a set of Model Rules which governing bodies of sports can use to ensure compliance with all mandatory provisions of the Code.

“The fundamental basis of the World Anti-Doping Code is that of harmonisation,” said John Scott, Director of Drug-Free Sport at UK Sport, the UK’s National Anti-Doping Organisation. “With that in mind we have developed a Policy and set of Model Rules which all sports can easily buy into, and which provide all sportsmen and women with anti-doping rules which are clear, consistent and fair.”

The Policy and Model Rules have been finalised after a long consultation period which began last September. This has included getting input from the national governing bodies of sport, each of the home country sports councils, athlete representatives, legal advisers and other key national and international stakeholders.

The Policy sets out UK Sport’s commitment to the World Anti-Doping Code, and outlines the roles and responsibilities of all parties involved in the anti-doping process. Through the Policy, UK Sport aims to:

· Protect athletes and other participants in sport in the UK;

· Promote doping-free sport in the UK;

· Establish consistent standards of anti-doping policy, testing and education across the UK;

· Encourage and build upon national and international harmonisation of anti-doping in sport.

The Model Rules go into more detail on specific aspects of the anti-doping programme, including testing, results management, disciplinary hearings and sanctions. They set out the provisions for implementing the Code and the UK anti-doping programme requirements. It is the first time such Model Rules have been produced, the aim being, as Scott explained, to make the transition to Code compliance as smooth as possible for governing bodies:

“We feel the Model Rules are of particular benefit to the small governing bodies which don’t have the resources or expertise at hand to develop rules which are suitably robust, comprehensive and fair. Governing bodies are now able to take the Model Rules and either use them as they are, or adapt them to ensure compliance with their relevant international federation.”

Implementation across all sports now begins, and will continue over the next 18 months. During this time, governing bodies must ensure they comply with the World Anti-Doping Code, either through the adoption of the UK Anti-Doping Model Rules or through the rules of their Code complaint international federations. With the backing of the home country sports councils, compliance is now a condition of funding and participation in UK Sport’s anti-doping programme. Therefore, funding sanctions and/or withdrawal from the programme can be imposed on governing bodies which do not fall into line.

“The launch of the Policy and Model Rules puts the UK in a very strong position in the fight against doping in sport,” concluded Scott. “Never before have we had such a powerful set of rules which protect the rights of athletes who compete drug-free, and provide strong sanctions against those who do not.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

· UK Sport works in partnership to lead sport in the UK to world class success by supporting world class performance, worldwide impact and world class standards.

· In its role as the UK’s National Anti-Doping Organisation, UK Sport is responsible for the implementation and management of the UK's anti-doping policy. As part of this, UK Sport co-ordinates the UK's testing programme, which every year sees over 6,000 tests carried out across more than 40 sports. The results of the testing programme are published quarterly and made available on this website. In addition, UK Sport provides British athletes and their support personnel with a number of services and resources to help them make the right decisions about what substances they can and cannot use.

· The UK National Anti-Doping Policy and Model Rules are available to download via the UK Sport website – http://www.uksport.gov.uk/

· More information is available by calling Russell Langley in the UK Sport press office: 020 7211 5108 / 07880 740772.