The Meaning of “Clean” in Anti-doping Education and Decision Making: Moving Toward Integrity and Conceptual Clarity

Abstract

With the World Anti-Doping Agency's International Standard for Education (ISE) coming into effect in 2021, the clean-sport movement is at a pivotal stage. Through this conceptual paper we juxtapose the sector-wide anti-doping education as set out in the ISE on the decision-making process at the individual level. We discuss three critical issues for the clean-sport movement. First, we make the case for doping being a “wicked” problem and outline the possible implications of this for prevention and detection. Second, we consider why we need to address regulative, normative, and cognitive components of clean sport if we are to maximize its legitimacy. Third, we critically expose the fluidity with which clean sport is defined, and the implications of defining clean sport in substance- vs. rule-based terms, which, respectively, lead to theorizing clean sport as “drug-free” vs. “cheating-free” sport. Finally, we consider the role and key components of anti-doping education and how the relevance of certain components may be dependent on the way clean sport is defined. Conceptualizing doping as a sport integrity issue, we move away from the archaic and delimiting view of clean sport as drug-free sport and conclude with recommendations on how to reconcile values-based education, awareness raising, information provision and anti-doping education within the broader scope of integrity, to support informed decision making and personal agency. To connect anti-doping education to individual-level decision making, we recommend a staggered approach in which specific education content is linked to different influences in the decision-making process, to different stages of athlete development, and to different educational goals. Emphasizing and encouraging sensemaking in anti-doping decision making offers a pragmatic approach for anti-doping education. Conceptual clarity and precise mapping of the educational goal, content, and delivery is vital for valid and meaningful evaluation of the effectiveness of anti-doping education.

Supplement usage and doping attitudes in elite youth sports: The mediating role of dietary supplement acceptance

“…Alongside enforcing regulations and punishments for violations of anti-doping rules, centralized bodies may also benefit from fostering a deeper internalization of the values of clean competition and preserving the true spirit of sports–such as fair competition and respect for rules and laws [ 47 ]. Providing young athletes narratives of “clean athletes” which entails success through dedication and determination on a level playing field without doping, could be a valuable approach to contribute to the global anti-doping program [ 48 ].…”

The association between subjective anti-doping knowledge and objective knowledge among Japanese university athletes: a cross-sectional study

“…In recent years, WADA has emphasized the importance of starting education at an early age ( 20 ), underscoring the importance of early and sustained involvement in anti-doping efforts ( 4 , 26 , 53 – 56 ). A tiered approach targeting different stages of athlete development with corresponding educational goals has been recommended ( 57 ). One strategy might be to design and deliver these educational initiatives with subjective ADK in mind, potentially increasing their effectiveness and resonance among athletes.…”

A Qualitative Investigation of Athletes’ Views on Clean Sport

“…Therefore, an increase in knowledge of the anti-doping rules could reduce the risk of athletes doping. In recent years, various sports organisations, such as WADA (2021), and researchers have paid attention to the concept of clean sport (Petróczi & Boardley, 2022).…”

“…Clean athletes obey the rules and their performance and success are purely determined by both natural talent and effort. Doping is but one example of rule-breaking under this definition of "clean sport", which includes all types of cheating (Petróczi & Boardley, 2022). It means that cheating in sport can be understood in a broader sense, not only as doping use (Petróczi et al, 2021;Šukys et al, 2019;).…”