Curl Clean
Scottish Curling believes in clean curling and works in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation, World Curling, to ensure the integrity of Curling is protected. World Curling’s anti-doping campaign is called: #curlclean and has been supported by international athletes.
All athletes have the right to compete in sport knowing that they, and their competitors, are clean. We believe in clean sport and work in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the World Curling to ensure that the integrity of our sport is protected. The use of performance-enhancing drugs, other banned substances and doping behaviour severely damages the legitimacy of the sport and undermines the integrity of clean athletes.
Whether by accident or on purpose, doping is against the rules of the sport and if tested, would result in an international sanction. Please read all the information on these pages which link to other documents and websites to ensure you are working within the laws for curling.
The anti-doping rules of Scottish Curling, as approved by the board of directors, are the rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time.
If you are a member of Scottish Curling, these anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of the level you participate at. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here.
Anti-Doping Rules
Scottish Curling has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all athletes and athlete support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for Scottish Curling are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.
World Anti-Doping Code
From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.
For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit UKAD’s website here.
Under the 2021 Code, an athlete may be classified as being “International-Level”, “National-Level” or a “Recreational Athlete” based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.
From 1 January each year, changes come into effect and it’s important that all athletes and athlete support personnel are aware of how this impacts them. For the latest list and changes, see the links below:
> Explanation of the WADA prohibited list major changes
Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act
The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act promotes athlete rights within anti-doping and ensures they are clearly outlined, accessible, and universally applicable e.g. an athlete has the right to receive anti-doping education.
What that means for you:
You need to take anti-doping seriously and fully understand the principle of strict liability.
Strict liability means that you are solely responsible for any banned substance you use, attempt to use, or is found in your system, regardless of how it got there or whether there was any intention to cheat.
Anti-Doping Rule Violations
Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The code outlines the anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs). Athletes and athlete support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them.
>More information and what this means for individuals
>UKAD’s sanction page has information on individuals serving a ban from sport
The Big Picture – Top Tips for Clean Sport
An athlete is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All athletes and athlete support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.
The Prohibited List
All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. More information can be found on UKAD’s website here.
Checking Medications
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), athletes must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website here.
Check out the video below from UKAD’s Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABLbo20B-3Q
Taking Nutritional Supplements
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Athletes can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Athletes should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.
Applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
If an athlete with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Athletes can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
What happens in a test?
Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzOnQBK_YZo
Athletes can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.
100% me – Supporting athletes to be clean
100% me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping athletes meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all athletes to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.
For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website here. UKAD’s 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.
Protect Your Sport
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part – athletes, coaches, or parents – whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong – no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
There are different ways to speak out:
• Email – When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at protectyoursport@reportdoping.com
• Online Form – Tell us what you know via our online form on protectyoursport.co.uk. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
• 24/7 Hotline – Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean
Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.
Role of the Coach
Coaches play a crucial role in the development of athletes and can have a direct impact on whether athletes choose to train and compete clean. The World Anti-Doping (WAD) code acknowledges that athlete support personnel have a responsibility to positively influence the athletes they work with. Coaches are mandated by the WAD code to council and advise athletes on anti-doping matters. The Anti-Doping Rules apply to you.
> What coaches need to know about clean sport
Clean Sport Education
Curlers and their support team (coaches/parents) require prevention and protection from doping and education plays a key role in achieving this. Scottish Curling aims to do this by;
-Promoting clean sport culture within Curling
-Educating the Scottish and British Performance Pathway athletes and staff to ensure they all practice and understand the values of clean sport
100% Me is UKAD’s education programme for athletes designed to provide information resources, education sessions and general advice to athletes throughout their sporting careers. The 100% me campaign is about being successful, confident and retaining the values of clean, fair competition. The 100% Me app which is available for free through all app stores.
The UKAD website also provides excellent free information and resources to help curlers protect themselves from substances that can harm their health or career. You can access and download them from UKAD Resources and UKAD Learning Zone
Anti-doping Testing
Athletes should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a chaperone or doping control officer. Check out this video below on the testing process.
Athletes who are part of the registered testing pool (Olympic Programme Athletes) must provide whereabouts via ADAMs. British Curling will assist athletes in managing the ADAMs programme, ensuring that they comply with all requirements.
The Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) process is a means by which a curler can obtain approval to use a prescribed prohibited substance or method for the treatment of a legitimate medical condition.
A TUE is required in advance of being selected for doping control at National and International competitions.
Contacts at Scottish Curling
Scottish Curling are committed to Clean Curling and we are happy to assist members, athletes and coaches with any questions or guidance that we can offer. Please contact us at the details below;
Scott Andrews- Scottish Curling Anti-Doping Lead: Scott@scottishcurling.org
Catriona Morton- Safeguarding Lead: Catriona@scottishcurling.org
Alternatively, you may contact UKAD directly at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.
