Sport Ireland will publish its Annual Anti-Doping Report for 2024 this morning. It was a year in which a record number of tests were carried out.
Over the 12 months, Sport Ireland collected 2,029 samples – the highest number gathered since the programme began in 1999. This represents an 11% increase in samples collected throughout 2023.
The anti-doping program encompassed 35 sports, with a strategic balance of testing: 22% of samples were collected during competitions, while the majority (78%) were obtained out-of-competition.
The samples are comprised of urine, blood serum, blood Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) and dried blood spot (DBS), reflecting the comprehensive nature of the testing carried out.
There was one Anti-Doping Rule Violation in 2023. An individual participated in competitions and activities while serving a ban for an anti-doping violation that took place in 2019.
The individual was sanctioned with an additional four-year period of ineligibility.
The Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Programme helps ensure that sport is drug-free. It does this through three key elements: testing, research, and education.
Sport Ireland’s commitment to clean sport hinges on a proactive ‘education first’ approach, and vital resources are delivered through webinars, in-person workshops, and a comprehensive e-learning portal.
In 2024, Sport Ireland delivered 42 education sessions that reached 1,469 stakeholders.
In addition, 22 sessions were delivered by National Governing Bodies, and 3,521 people completed either Sport Ireland or the World Anti-Doping Agency’s online Anti-Doping Education and Learning courses.
Reactions
“Ensuring that athletes compete on a fair and level playing field is vital for sports,” said Minister for Arts, Culture, Communications, Media, and Sport Patrick O’Donovan.
“Under the direction of Sport Ireland, our innovative anti-doping system operates at a world-class level.”
“Reflecting Irish athletes’ belief in anti-doping, we want to continue to foster a culture of anti-doping across the sports system.”
“I must commend the exceptional work of the Sport Ireland Anti-Doping Unit, which is instrumental in ensuring sport across the country is monitored effectively,” added Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy Charlie McConalogue.
“Continued national, EU, and international collaboration is vital in the ongoing commitment to the clean sport agenda.”
“The Anti-Doping Unit’s dedication to clean sport and an athlete-first approach ensures sportspeople can excel while prioritising their physical and mental health,” said Sport Ireland CEO Dr Una May.
“This approach is crucial in safeguarding both performance integrity and athlete wellbeing.”
“We would like to thank our athletes and support personnel for their commitment to keeping sport free from doping,” concluded Sport Ireland Chair John Foley.
“Our work has also been greatly aided by all those athletes who have taken on the role of advocates and ambassadors for clean sport – we want to thank them as well.”
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SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Education first is the way that Sport Ireland has gone, and that reduces the risk of inadvertent contamination. The battle against doping in sport is ongoing and based as much on intelligence as it is on testing, trying to stay ahead of those who will cheat to win at any cost to the athlete or sport.
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