Participants of EYOF-2019 were prepared for the anti-doping control procedure

On 19 July, athletes and coaches, who are taking part in the XV Summer European Youth Olympic Festival in Baku (Azerbaijan), were offered anti-doping training seminars at the premises of the ″Ozero Krugloye″ Training Centre of the national teams of Russia, organised by the Russian anti-doping agency RUSADA with support from the Russian Olympic Committee.

Veronika Loginova, Head of the Anti-Doping Support Department and Interdepartmental Cooperation of the Department of Science and Education of the Ministry of Sport of the Russian Federation, talked about the nuances of anti-doping rules at large multisport competitions. For example, all medicines, including vitamins and nasal drops from the common cold, used by team members during the Games, must undergo a declaration procedure and be kept by representatives of the medical staff.

Education specialist of RUSADA Kristina Kucheeva addressed the young athletes by giving a presentation on the anti-doping rules that will be valid during the Games in Baku, and reminded that the lack of knowledge of these rights and obligations is not an excuse.

According to the lecturer, most of the problems during doping control are due to athletes’ low level of familiarity on the specifics of the procedure. Participants of EYOF in Baku were instructed on how to behave properly with doping officers and fill out official forms, and were also briefed on other important points. In particular, what constitutes a reasonable excuse for postponing a doping test. Such an excuse could be the athlete’s participation in the awards ceremony, a training practice, an official press conference, or the need to change into comfortable clothing after a competition.

Special attention was paid to the ADAMS system where athletes, who are in the testing pool, enter information about their current location. Doping control officers are guided only by this data when visiting athletes.

ROC Secretary General Anastasia Davydova congratulated the upcoming participants of EYOF-2019 on joining the Olympic family.

– Everything you learned from the representatives of RUSADA and the Ministry of Sport will not only be useful during the festival in Baku, but will

also be relevant in your future career. You should take this information seriously, because by becoming members of the Russian Olympic team you also take on the responsibility for the image of our great country.

You need to focus and demonstrate the best results. I wish you success and victory. I hope that EYOF-2019 will become the first step on the way to the Olympic medals, – concluded the five-time Olympic champion in synchronised swimming.

At the end of the seminar, the athletes took interactive tests in order to determine their knowledge of anti-doping rules. They also received souvenirs and memorable gifts.