For the first time in its history, the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency delivered anti-doping education to athletes, coaches, and support personnel at the request of an NCAA Division I athletics program. Arizona State University welcomed USADA officials on Monday to learn more about the importance of clean sport and the role of anti-doping in athletes’ careers.
“Providing a level playing field for athletes is critical for every sport. Work ethic, technical improvement, and strength of character must always be hallmarks of competitive success. We are proud to provide this important education to our student-athletes at ASU,” said Bob Bowman, who became the head coach of ASU’s swimming program in 2015 while also coaching 23-time Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps.
Responsible for some of the top college athletes in the nation, the head coaches of ASU’s athletic teams recognized that, in order to be prepared for competition outside of college sports, athletes and their support personnel need to understand the anti-doping rules and processes that apply to many of the nation’s elite athletes. Furthering confirming this need, a number of ASU athletes already compete outside the college circuit and some are included in USADA’s Registered Testing Pool (RTP), meaning they are subject to a more rigorous anti-doping program than most college athletes.
“As a former athlete with Olympic aspirations and as a coach who has coached athletes in the Pan Am Games, World Championships, national teams, and four Olympic games, competing clean, honestly, and with integrity are core values that I truly believe in. USADA, WADA, and anti-doping agencies are indeed instrumental in preserving the integrity of clean competition. Providing ASU student-athletes the opportunity to further their education and resources through USADA educational programs is very important to us,” said Cliff English, ASU Triathlon Head Coach, 2016 National Champions.
The World Anti-Doping Code, to which USADA is a signatory, applies to a wide range of amateur and elite athletes, from Olympians to members of national governing bodies who compete in youth or Masters events. In its education presentation, USADA gives athletes the knowledge and tools they need to comply with the standards established by the World Anti-Doping Agency, including the WADA Prohibited List, therapeutic use exemptions, and Whereabouts requirements.
In addition to annual education sessions with national governing bodies and sports organizations around the country, USADA often accommodates requests for anti-doping education in order to ensure that as many athletes as possible know what they need to do to compete clean and comply with world-recognized anti-doping policies.
“It is extremely important for our student-athletes to understand that Arizona State plays a major role in keeping sports clean. Our staff is very excited to learn about it through this educational seminar. As someone who has been playing sports since I was nine years old, I fully understand the focus and importance of knowing the rules. We value our obligation as a major university to lead by example and educate our teams on keeping sports clean and fair,” said Sun Devil Volleyball Head Coach Sanja Tomasevic, 2005 National Player of the Year.
USADA Education Manager, Tammy Hanson, also commented, “It is great to see a university speak up on behalf of clean sport. ASU is paving the way for other universities to step up, educate their athletes, and help encourage a fair and level playing field.”
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