Clean Sport is Our Mission

GRZEGORZ NOWOTARSKI
Director of Doping Control
International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA)
e-mail: g.nowotarski@armwrestling.pl

Clean Sport is Our Mission

“The athlete is always at the centre of our efforts to promote clean sport. Their life, health and right to compete on fair terms are our priority.”

World Anti-Doping Code

The World Anti-Doping Code forms the basis of the international system for combating doping in sport. It is a document developed and adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which uniformly regulates the rules and procedures applicable in all sports and countries affiliated with the global anti-doping system.

The purpose of the Code is to:

• protect athletes’ right to participate in sporting competitions on fair terms
• ensure equal opportunities in competition
• promoting a healthy lifestyle free from doping substances
• harmonising anti-doping regulations worldwide

The Code sets out the rights and responsibilities of athletes, the scope of prohibited substances and methods, sanctions for violations, and appeal procedures. Compliance with the Code is a prerequisite for participation in international competitions organised by all federations affiliated with WADA, including the International Armwrestling Federation (IFA).

Description of the control procedure in the IFA World Federation

By registering for the European Championships or World Championships, competitors accept the rules of the International Federation of Armwrestling (IFA). These rules require compliance with the principles set out by WADA.

Violation of these rules results in serious consequences, including:

• suspension of the competitor’s rights,
• cancellation of competition results,
• removal from medal positions,
• withdrawal of titles, prizes and medals.

Control procedure during competitions

• any competitor may be selected for anti-doping testing. Refusal to undergo testing is treated as a positive test result and results in an automatic four-year suspension.
• Tests are most often conducted after the finals. The chief judge or a person designated by the doping commission informs the competitor of the need to undergo testing.
  The commission also has the right to select a competitor from the start list at any time during the competition, regardless of the results achieved.
• The selected competitor, accompanied by a person authorised by WADA or the organiser, goes to the designated testing point. The competitor is required to have an identity document confirming their details.
• The competitor provides a urine sample (in some cases also a blood sample). The procedure is carried out in accordance with international standards, maintaining confidentiality and protecting the dignity of the competitor.
• After providing the sample, the athlete may return to their duties – sporting competition or rest area.
• After receiving a positive test result, the athlete has the right to appeal to sample B if they are certain that they have not taken any prohibited substances (the cost is €1,000). If sample B shows that they were clean, the money is returned to the athlete.
• The samples are secured and sent to an accredited laboratory. The test is carried out by specialists in accordance with the methodology approved by WADA.

Result and consequences

• If prohibited substances are detected, the athlete is informed of a temporary suspension pending the outcome of the case.
• Competitors who are not found to have violated the rules are not informed of the result (a negative result means that no further action will be taken).
• The competitor has the right to request analysis of the B sample. The cost of the test is EUR 1,000, which is refunded if the result is negative.

Obligations of athletes taking medication

• athletes using prescription drugs or other medical preparations must check for themselves whether their composition is on the WADA list of prohibited substances. If they are unsure whether their drugs are prohibited, they can send a list of drugs for verification to the following e-mail address: g.nowotarski@armwrestling.pl
• if necessary, they may apply for a TUE (Therapeutic Use Exemption) – permission to use the medication for health reasons. The procedure must be submitted at least 3 weeks before the start of the competition
• The TUE application must be supported by medical documentation and a medical certificate, and the decision is made by the TUE committee operating within the relevant national anti-doping organisation.

Why is testing important?

Anti-doping controls are not directed against athletes, but are carried out in the interests of:

• fair competition – everyone has the same starting conditions,
• the health of athletes – doping substances pose a serious risk to life and health,
• credibility of the discipline – clean sport builds prestige and trust in armwrestling around the world.