UK Anti-Doping urge British stars to become whistleblowers in fight for clean competition as part of major new ‘Protect Your Sport’ campaign
- UK Anti-Doping revealed decline in athletes reporting suspicious behaviour
- ‘Protect Your Sport’ campaign urges athletes to come forward with concerns
- UKAD conducted 1,532 drug tests from April to September – down from 5,155
British sports stars are being urged to turn whistleblowers in a major new ‘shop a cheat’ drive by UK Anti-Doping.
Athletes have raised concerns that 2020 has been a ‘free-for-all’ for dopers because of a reduction in drug testing caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
UKAD have also revealed a decline in athletes reporting suspicious behaviour this year – prompting them to launch a ‘Protect Your Sport’ campaign.
UK Anti-Doping are encouraging athletes to report doping concerns and protect their sport
‘We’re here to protect the values of sport which everyone holds dear, but we can’t do it on our own,’ said Pat Myhill, UKAD director of operations.
‘People coming to us with their concerns about doping is absolutely vital for clean sport, and our message in this campaign is clear – if you feel like something’s not right, report it.’
UKAD usually receive more than 1,200 intelligence reports a year but expect that to be 30 per cent down this year having only received 638 up to September.
UKAD want whistle blowers to help them in their battle to ensure clean competition
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, whistleblowers are protected as anyone who threatens or intimidates them can receive a lifetime ban.
With regards to testing, UKAD only conducted 1,532 drug tests from April to September – down from 5,155 across the same six-month period last year.
British 5,000m champion Jessica Judd described the trend as ‘really worrying’ and a ‘massive issue’ ahead of next summer’s Olympics.
