Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other groups who are subject to anti-doping rules all have rights and responsibilities under the World Anti-Doping Code. Part Three of the Code outlines all the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder in the anti-doping system. 

It is especially important that Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand Code Art. 21 (Additional Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes and Other Persons), particularly Art. 21.1 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athletes), Art. 21.2 (Roles and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel) and Art. 21.3 (Roles and Responsibilities of Other Persons Subject to the Code).

Athletes’ Rights

This section presents a summary of the key athlete rights. It is important that both Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel know and understand these. Athlete rights exist throughout the Code and International Standards, and they include:

• Equality of opportunity
• Equitable and Fair Testing programs
• Medical treatment and protection of health rights
• Right to justice
• Right to accountability
• Whistleblower rights
• Right to education
• Right to data protection
• Rights to compensation
• Protected Persons Rights
• Rights during a Sample Collection Session
• Right to B sample analysis
• Other rights and freedoms not affected
• Application and standing 

The Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act is a key document that consolidates these athletes’ rights in anti-doping. It is based on the 2021 WADA Code and International Standards, and it aims to ensure that athlete rights within anti-doping are clearly set out, accessible and universally applicable.

Athletes’ Responsibilities

It is equally important that Athletes are aware of their anti-doping responsibilities. Athlete Support Personnel should also familiarise themselves with these in order to be able to support their Athletes. These include:

• Knowing, understanding and following the NADO, International Federation (IF) and Major Event Organiser (MEO) Anti-Doping Rules
• Taking full responsibility for what you ingest – making sure that no prohibited substance enters your body and that no prohibited methods are used
• Informing medical personnel of your obligations as an Athlete
• Cooperating with the European Olympic Committees and other Anti-Doping Organisations (WADA, ITA, NADOs)
• Being available for sample collection
• Not working with coaches, trainers, physicians or other Athlete Support Personnel who are ineligible on account of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV), or who have been criminally convicted or disciplined in relation to doping (see WADA’s Prohibited Association List) 

Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.1.

Athletes also have specific rights and responsibilities during the Doping Control Process. Please refer to this EOC anti-doping rules for more information.

Rights and Responsibilities of Athlete Support Personnel and other groups

Like Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other persons who are bound by the Code also have a clear set of rights and responsibilities. These include:

• Being knowledgeable of anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Athlete(s) you support 
• Using your influence on Athlete values and behaviours to foster anti-doping attitudes 
• Complying with all anti-doping policies and rules which are applicable to you or the Athlete(s) you support 
• Cooperating with the Athlete testing program
• Disclosing to your International Federation and your NADO whether you have committed any Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) within the previous ten years 
• Cooperating with anti-doping organisations investigating ADRVs 

Further details of these roles and responsibilities can be found in Code Art. 21.2 and 21.3.