#SayNoToDoping
& Risks
Athletes always want to find a competitive edge that can help them get better in their sport. Many do this by training hard, resting well, embodying mindfulness and living healthy lifestyles. Sometimes though — whether because of a friend, a coach, or a personal decision — athletes take substances that can give them a short term edge over their competitors. They risk not just their careers by inviting bans but also their health for the foreseeable future.
List of Prohibited Substances
The Objective
NADA India’s Education Plan lays out its objectives very distinctively which are as follows:
- Guiding the implementation of NADA India’s education and awareness initiatives
- Raising awareness against doping in sports
- Promoting values associated with sports and fair play amongst the sports ecosystem in India.
- Sensitizing athletes and athlete support personnel against doping in sports
- Providing accurate and timely anti-doping information to all stakeholders
- Monitoring, evaluating and reporting the anti-doping education and awareness activities
The Eco-system
NADA India is working to sensitize all stakeholders in the national sports ecosystem and is committed to increasing anti-doping awareness amongst all target group to prevent the spread of doping in sports. NADA India has recognized the following key stakeholders:
- College / University Level Athletes
- State Level Athletes
- National Level Athletes
- International Level Athletes
- Coaches
- Managers
- Trainers
- Agents
- Team Staff
- Parents
- Sports medicine practitioners & physiotherapists
- Medical/ Para-medical personnel
- Anti-doping practitioners
- Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
- Ministry of Education
- National Dope Testing Laboratory
- Sports Authority of India
- Sports Departments of States & Union Territories
- National Sports Federations
- National Sports Promotion Organizations
- Indian Olympic Association
- Paralympic Committee of India
- School Games Federation of India
- Police Sports Control Board
- Services Sports Control Board
- Railway Sports Promotion Board
- NGOs & CSR organizations working in sports development
- Sports Clubs, Academies & Training Centres
- Sports Institutions funded by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India
- Other Sports & Physical Education Colleges & Universities
- Physical education teachers
- Physical Education Institutes such as National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Hyderabad
- National Forensic Sciences University
- Food Safety Standards Authority of India
- Sports Medicine, Sports Science & Sports Research Institutions
- Medical Institutions
- Media personnel
- Sports Law Professionals
- National Sports Event Organizers
- Competition Managers
- Sports Event Sponsors
- Sports Events Logistics Agencies
Delivering the Programme
NADA India has been providing anti-doping education content, enhancing outreach communications and enabling access to informationThe Agency is endeavouring to make anti-doping content and information available in all vernacular languages of India to ensure last-mile reach and increased awareness at the grassroots. Some of the delivering tools for the education and awareness programmes of the Agency includes the following:
- In-person workshops
- Social media campaigns
- Website updates
- E-learning courses through WADA’s ADeL platform
- Print brochures, flyers and pamphlets
- Audio visual content
- Short films
- Content in UDL
- Multi-lingual content
- IEC Vans
- NADA India Information kiosks
- Interactive tools including quizzes and campaigns
- Mass outreach campaigns through emails, messages and automated calls
- NADA India helpline
NADA India has identified the below categories for the NADA India Education Pool based on the level of participation in sports, vulnerability to doping and need for anti-doping education:
education pool
target groups
School Sports Students
School Sports students, parents and Physical Education teachers
Young & budding athletes
Athletes identified at Sports Authority of India’s Khelo India Academies
Talented Athletes
Athletes training in Sports Authority of India’s National Centres of Excellence
National Level athletes
Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), Development Group Athletes, Athletes Participating In National Events
International level athletes
Target Olympic Podium Scheme Athletes Athletes with any impairments participating in national and international events
RTP athletes
Athletes identified in the Registered Testing Pool
Athlete Support Personnel
Coaches, Managers, Trainers, Agents, Team Staff, Parents, Sports medicine practitioners & physiotherapists, Medical/ Para-medical personnel, Anti-doping practitioners
Athletes participating in recreational sports
Athletes training in fitness centres, gyms and engaging in recreational or non-competitive activities
Athletes serving ineligibility
Athletes serving ineligibility/returning from a sanction
Athletes with Disabilities
Athletes with any impairments participating in national and international events
NADA India’s Inclusive Efforts
Athletes with Disabilities make up a large section of the sporting community and are affected by inadequate inclusive resources. To avoid inadvertent cases of Anti Doping Rule Violations, protect the rights of athletes with disabilities and provide a level-playing field, it is necessary to increase inclusive anti-doping outreach, awareness and education initiatives.
Athletes with Disabilities make up a large section of the sporting community and are affected by inadequate inclusive resources. To avoid inadvertent cases of Anti Doping Rule Violations, protect the rights of athletes with disabilities and provide a level-playing field, it is necessary to increase inclusive anti-doping outreach, awareness and education initiatives.
NADA India has developed anti-doping education content in Universal Design of Learning (UDL) to augment anti doping awareness efforts amongst athletes with disabilities. Information leaflets in Braille have also been developed.
NADA India is also signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Central Institute of Educational Training (CIET) and National Centre for Education & Research Training (NCERT), Ministry of Education, Government of India to develop inclusive and engaging anti-doping awareness content and tools.
Mutual Recognition and Sharing Resources of Anti-Doping Education & Awareness
The focus of NADA India’s Education Plan is to sensitize and educate the national sports ecosystem about anti-doping practices. NADA India also work with other Code Signatories to recognize their anti-doping program and reduce duplication efforts. Other Signatories may apply to NADA India through an official email for recognition of their program, submit their documented program and allow a period of 3 weeks to NADA India to send out the official notification. The anti-doping education resources developed by NADA India are also available to all other International Anti-Doping Organizations upon request and with due to credits.
In accordance with the International Standard for Education (ISE) the NADA India encourages Signatories to engage and cooperate with us, to carry out anti-doping education – in the interests of clean sport and to maximize effectiveness and minimize duplication.
Anti-doping education activities (for example, e-learning, sessions or an in-person workshop,) delivered to the International or Registered Testing Pool athletes must be recognized by us as meeting the requirements of the ISE. Signatories may apply for recognition of specific education activities for these athletes (and others) by completing and submitting this form.
Please contact edu-nadaindia@gov.in if you have any questions or further details.
To apply for recognition for anti-doping education activity – CLICK HERE
Danger and Health Risks of Doping
Many banned substances are not even approved for human use! On the other hand, just because medication on the list is legitimate does not mean it is good for athletes. Medicines are for people with health issues, not healthy athletes. Here are risks associated with some substances and methods on the Prohibited list. This is just a small snapshot into the problems caused by some of these prohibited substances.
These substances are used to treat delayed puberty, certain forms of impotence and muscle atrophy caused by different auto-immune and muscle-wasting diseases. Healthy athletes using these agents can face side effects like those below.
- Acne
- Male-pattern baldness
- Liver damage
- Stunted growth if administered to adolescents
- Disrupted puberty
- Increased aggression and sexual appetite, resulting in criminal behaviour.
- Withdrawal leads to depression and in some cases, suicide.
There are gender specific effects too.
Males can see breast tissue development, shrinking of testicles, impotence and reduced sperm production.
Women can see a deepening of voice, halting of breast development, hair growth on face, stomach and upper back and disrupted menstrual cycles.
HGH and such substances are used to treat male hypogonadism, anemia and growth hormone deficiency. Any abnormal presence of these — unless proven to be natural — can result in a longstanding ban. The use of these substances can severely compromise an athlete’s health in the long run.
- Hypertension
- Heart attacks
- Thyroid problems
- Severe headaches
- Loss of vision
- High blood pressure and heart failure
- Diabetes and tumors
- Crippling arthritis
Stimulants are used to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anaphylaxis, influenza and cold conditions. Usage can often lead to:
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Weight Loss
- Addiction
- Dehydration
- Tremors
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
Diuretics are used to treat conditions like hypertension, kidney disease, and congestive heart failure. Taken without medical supervision, usage can result in potassium depletion and possibly even death. Other side effects include:
- Dehydration
- Muscle cramps
- Dizziness or fainting
- Drop in blood pressure
- Loss of coordination and balance
Beta blockers help control hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, severe chest pain, migraine, and nervous or anxiety-related conditions. Its side effects include:
- Lowered blood pressure
- Slow heart rate
- Sleep disorders
- Spasm of the airways
Learn with WADA ADEL
The WADA Anti-doping Education and Learning platform (ADEL) welcomes anyone who wants to learn about clean sport. Register and join ADEL to discover how we can support you.
List of Prohibited Substances
Inclusion & Accessibility
Sport is for all. Sportspersons across disciplines, borders, and physical and cognitive abilities share common values and beliefs. We at NADA also believe in access to information, education and resources for all. Testing processes for athletes in special need may differ slightly, and NADA accommodates for that. All athletes enjoy the same rights and responsibilities under the testing program. You can read more about the rights and responsibilities of athletes with impairments in ‘Athlete Testing’ .
Watch educational videos in universal design of learning (UDL)
Others Modes of Awareness
quiz
GAMES
VIDEOS
PRINTING MATERIAL
I For Integrity
Anti-doping investigation is founded on the belief of the ‘spirit of sport’. This is the ethical pursuit of excellence according to talent and hard work. We seek to protect fair competition and athlete health in the same breath.
Speak up!
To ensure clean sports, NADA India seeks cooperation from all stakeholders. If you observe any doping related misconduct, report it immediately at speakup-nada@gov.in. Your identity will be protected.
& Risks
Naturally-found nutritious food has no replacement. Taking the right food at the right time in the right quantity is the best policy. More so for athletes. While this is true, many athletes consider taking food supplements necessary to achieve better performance, endurance and recovery. Food supplements are becoming increasingly popular among athletes and sportspersons.
What Are Supplements?
Supplements are used, commonly alongside a regular diet, to improve general health, increase the nutritional intake in a diet, assist with weight gain or loss and enhance sports performance or recovery.
Supplements can take various forms, including mineral, vitamin or herbal tablets, sports drinks, herbal drinks, energy bars, protein powders, meal replacements, natural food supplements or other related products, including antioxidants, herbs, homoeopathic remedies or traditional medicines. They can be found, amongst others, in a pill, tablet, capsule, powder or liquid form. Supplements often claim to help with building muscle, increasing endurance, weight gain or loss, aiding recovery or overcoming a mineral deficiency and thus can appeal to a sportsperson.
What are the risks
associated with supplements?
Risk of
ADRVs
Consumption of supplements may put the athlete at risk of committing ADRV and being banned from sports because of presence of prohibited substance in the supplements.
Risk of
False Claims
Supplements do not seem to be as strictly regulated as they should be. This means there could be various issues with supplements – quality, ingredients, labelling, fake claims and contamination, to mention some.
Risk of Getting
Banned
The quality of the supplement is paramount to consider, as it can adversely affect an athlete’s health. Knowing the risks of taking certain supplements before using them is also crucial. Because, they can lead to severe consequences such as a ban for four years or more in case the sportsperson is tested positive for any of the banned substances found in the supplement.
Risk of
Quality
Certain supplements do not truly reflect the actual contents on their labels. They might have certain banned substances or metabolites not listed in the labels. Many supplements may also make the false claim of not containing any prohibited substances or even claim to be WADA compliant on the label. The athletes have to be cautious at all times.
How do Athletes Reduce the
Risk of Taking Supplements?
Athletes can reduce the risk of taking supplements by doing the following:
1
Choose/select supplements as per your requirements or recommended by sports nutritionists and health professionals.
2
Confirm the dosages required as per your daily activity, gender and age.
3
Check expiry date before buying supplements through online and offline.
4
Look for tamper-proof/tamper-evident packaging.
5
Look for the authentication system provided by the manufacturers.
6
Beware of unsubstantiated health claims.
7
Choose supplements that are tested and approved by a certified body
Suppose you see ingredients on a supplement label that have numbers coupled with Greek letters (like 1a or b or b, 3a or b, 17a or b etc.), or any of the phrases below, the product may contain steroids or stimulants and thus may be avoided.
-ol -diol | -one -dione | -dienone | -stene | -amine -arine | -ermine |-heptane | -hexane | -pentane | -aminol