Drugs and Doping

Click here to download the Anti-Doping Rules of English Volleyball Association

The Association's Constitution and the NVL Rules of Competition expressly forbid the use of prohibited drugs or methods to alter performance. Until recently differences existed both between sports and between countries in what was or was not permitted. The establishment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the production of a WADA Code are intended to harmonise these disparate elements and thus provide clean and fair drug free competition throughout the world. The EVA through UK Sport has committed itself to uphold the WADA Code.

The Rules of the Code are binding not only on players but also on support personnel - coaches, trainers, managers, etc.

Under the principle of 'Strict Liability' any banned substance found in a player's body is deemed to be the absolute responsibility of that person. Initially the player's guilt is total although explanations may be considered in mitigating any sanction.

While a positive urine sample is the most common way of violating the anti-doping regulations of the WADA Code, it is not the only one. Also illegal are:

The presence of a prohibited substance or evidence of a prohibited method in a bodily specimen.
The use or an attempt to use a prohibited substance or method.
Refusal to take or avoidance of a drug's test.
Failure to provide details of your whereabouts for out of competition testing (OOCT)
The giving of inaccurate whereabouts details leading to three missed tests.
Tampering or attempting to tamper with the doping control process.
The possession of or trafficking in prohibited substances or methods.
The administration or attempt to administer a prohibited substance and/or method to a player, or in any way being complicit in an anti-doping rule violation.

As all players are strictly liable for their own drug free condition they need to take on responsibility for themselves in the following areas:

Being aware of the latest lists detailing prohibited substances and methods.
Checking the status of any substance used, e.g. over the counter medicines.
Informing a GP or medical practitioner that treatment where possible should not violate anti-doping rules.
Submitting a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) form should it be necessary to use a prohibited substance or method in the treatment of a legitimate medical condition.
Providing accurate whereabouts if part of the OOCT programme.

Those involved with supporting players in any way should:

Denounce doping as cheating and potentially dangerous.
Promote understanding of anti-doping protocols and requirements.
Support players during testing.
Remind and help those players on OOCT programmes to provide correct information and to comply with agreed schedules.
They SHOULD NOT turn a blind eye to doping offences on the grounds of friendship, team selection pressures, or perceived degree of seriousness.

Supplements

In recent years many positive drug tests have been blamed on the use of dietary supplements, athletes believing that they required vitamins, minerals and protein beyond that contained in a balanced diet. Research studies suggest that as many as a quarter of all supplements contain analytically significant amounts of steroids and stimulants. While some manufacturers claim their product is endorsed by bodies like WADA or UK Sport or they meet a standard of purity, it should be remembered that these bodies never endorse these products and that the industry purity standard is ten thousand times less than that used in WADA laboratories. The best advice once given to athletes was - If you want iron, eat greens and if you want vitamin C, eat oranges.

A POSITIVE TEST CAN RESULT IN A TWO YEAR BAN FROM VOLLEYBALL AND A LIFETIME ONE FROM OLYMPIC SELECTION IN BRITAIN.

Further detailed information, some duplicated, on substances list, TUE's, protocols, etc. can be found through the following links:

www.wada-ama.org Also: Drug information Email: drug-free@uksport.gov.uk
www.100percentme.co.uk Drug information Line Freephone 0800 528 0004
www.didglobal.com