The Russian International Olympic University (RIOU), at the initiative of the ROC and with active assistance from RUSADA, is continuing to implement its professional development program “Organizational and legal aspects of anti-doping enforcement: roles and duties of responsible persons.”
On May 17, the second phase of the development program was launched. This educational course is aimed at representatives of the all-Russian Sports Federations in Olympic kinds of sports. Anti-doping coordinators from the federations were also present as listeners.
Experts who are proficient in anti-doping topics will share their knowledge with students. These are representatives of RUSADA, experts in sports medicine, law and psychology. The lectures will be devoted to topical issues such as the modern structure of the global anti-doping system, WADA standards, the rights and obligations of athletes and personnel in terms of anti-doping support, responsibility for anti-doping rule violations, as well as roles and responsibilities of all-Russian Sports Federations when organizing doping control.
In total, within the framework of this program, 8 groups with 20 participants in each will be present at RIOU. The first group of students, including members of the Federations of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Synchronized Swimming, Modern Pentathlon, Bobsleigh, Rugby and Triathlon, have already completed their studies and received diplomas.
This time round, representatives of the Russian Biathlon Union, the Russian Golf Association, along with members of the Federations of Field Hockey, Curling, Badminton, Tennis, Ice Hockey, Judo, Dance Sport, Trampoline and Skateboarding are due to attend the course at the Russian International Olympic University to gain new knowledge.
ROC Director General Vladimir Sengleev:
– To improve the efficiency of the all-Russian Sports Federations, the Russian Olympic Committee needs to solve several tasks. These include the advanced training of staff members of the all-Russian Sports Federations and solving financial issues regarding the statutory activities of the federations.
The ROC and the all-Russian Sports Federations are the only public organizations entrusted with socially significant functions in the field of sport by federal legislation. Right now the situation is complicated by the fact that the Federal Law on Physical Culture and Sport, as well as the new WADA Code, requires the presence of an anti-doping coordinator in each national sports federation. Regional sports federations must also have similar specialists. The issues of training such specialists and remuneration for their labour and activities form a large part of the work that the Russian Olympic Committee has taken upon itself together with RIOU.
This educational course goes far beyond the scope of the topic indicated in its title and is designed to increase the staff potential of federations in the field of anti-doping. Today it is necessary at all levels, starting with youth sports, to promote the principles of fair play and clean sport, introduce coaches to the anti-doping regulatory framework, as well as conduct active interaction with the parents of young athletes and regional federations.
For this, of course, specialists are needed. And there must be numerous experts who know what they are doing. Therefore, the primary task that we want to solve with the help of educational programs is to increase the number of specialists who will be responsible for anti-doping support and monitor this area. Together we must work out approaches that, I hope, will have a positive effect in the future.
Rector of RIOU, academician of RAO Lev Belousov:
– RIOU students are young specialists, but there should be no barriers between us. I always say that you cannot perceive teachers as gurus. We learn and work with you because the sports industry and the Olympic movement are constantly evolving and changing. Without the help of people who face these challenges onsite, the Russian International Olympic University will not be able to come up with the proper educational process.
Doping is now the number one problem. It is much more difficult to eradicate than the coronavirus. To do this, a new anti-doping culture must be formed in society, and this cannot be done overnight. We must “vaccinate” all members of the sports community against this ailment: ranging from representatives of youth sport to the representatives of high achievement sport. This is what our educational program, commissioned by the Russian Olympic Committee, aims to achieve.
Recall that as part of the work to improve the efficiency of the all-Russian Sports Federations, the ROC will allocate funds for the remuneration of staff members of the federations, as well as finance refresher courses at RIOU.
