PRINCIPLES AND VALUES ASSOCIATED WITH CLEAN SPORT

Anti-doping programs are founded on the intrinsic value of sport. This intrinsic value is often referred to as "the spirit of sport": the ethical pursuit of human excellence through the dedicated perfection of each Athlete’s natural talents.

Anti-doping programs seek to protect the health of Athletes and to provide the opportunity for Athletes to pursue human excellence without the Use of Prohibited Substances and Methods. Anti-doping programs 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.

The spirit of sport is the celebration of the human spirit, body and mind. It is the essence of Olympism and is reflected in the values we find in and through sport, including:

• Health
• Ethics, fair play and honesty
• Athletes’ rights
• Excellence in performance
• Character and Education
• Fun and joy
• Teamwork
• Dedication and commitment
• Respect for rules and laws
• Respect for self and other participants
• Courage
• Community and solidarity

WHY IS DOPING IN SPORT PROHIBITED?

The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the overall spirit of sport. Drug misuse can be harmful to a wrestler s health and to other wrestlers competing in the Wrestling.

It severely damages the integrity, image and values of our sport, whether or not the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance. To achieve integrity and fairness in Wrestling and Sport in general, a commitment to clean sport is critical.

CONSEQUENCES OF DOPING

When athletes dope, there are consequences, and these consequences can be wide-reaching. Not only is there a ban from all sport but they also affect an athlete's career and personal life. 

Sanctions

An Anti-doping Rules Violations (ADRV) will lead to the following: 

• Disqualification of results in the event/competition during which they ADRV occurred (if applicable) and of results in competitions subsequent to the sample collection
• A period of ineligibility ranging from a warning to a lifetime ban from all sports
• Public disclosure

ADRVs for athletes participating in a team event (World Cups) may lead to sanctions for the entire team. For example, the whole team may loose their point, be disqualified and be imposed other sanctions. 

An Athlete or Other Person serving a period of Ineligibility is prohibited from coaching or serving as an Athlete Support Personnel or in any other capacity at any time during the period of ineligibility. 

It should also be noted that more and more public authorities and governments have adopted legislations that treat doping as a criminal act. Therefore, in addition to the suspension, an athlete or a support personnel or other persons may also face criminal charges in their country. 

Health

The use of drugs or medication without a medical need or medical advice are highly likely to put an athlete's health at risk. When using banned substances there is an increased risk of: 

• Substance dependency
• Addiction
• Wider drug use and habits
• Chronic illness
• Side-effects
• Behaviour changes
• Physiological changes that in the worse case can be irreversible
• Psycholigical consequences such as depression, withdrawal, guilt/shame and loss of self-identity.

Social Consequences

Social consequences such as isolation from the sport and from teammates. This may also include the loss of a hero status, a public embarrassment and a social exclusion.

Within family and friends, this may lead to damaged relationships, disappointment, and failure.

Financial

An Anti-doping Rules Violation may have a financial impact on the individual such as: 

• Financial penalties
• Loss of grants, funding from UWW or IOC, or from governments
• Loss of contracts or sponsorship

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF UNITED WORLD WRESTLING?

The World Anti-Doping Code requires all Anti-doping Organizations (International Federations, National Anti-doping Organizations, Major Event Organizers) to implement anti-doping activities that form the anti-doping program. This program includes conducting in-competition and out-of-competition testing, providing education, reviewing Therapeutic Use Exemptions  and conducting Results Management for any possible Anti-doping Rule Violations.

From 1st January 2019, United World Wrestling partners with the International Testing Agency (ITA) for the implementation of Testing (in and out-of-competition), Biological Passport Management and Results Management.

If you have any anti-doping queries, please contact Mr Carlos Roy, carlos.roy@uww.org.

You may also contact your National Anti-doping Organization (NADO) for further information on your country’s anti-doping program.

Check the list of NADOs to find out who to contact in your country.

You may also visit WADA's website for further detailed information.